As storms move east along Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, people from Mississippi are bracing themselves for the severe weather that is predicted to arrive on Wednesday evening. The turbulence is expected to last through Friday and can bring hail, strong winds, and possibly even tornadoes. This is warning is getting special attention after tornadoes just devastated parts of Nebraska.
The recovery process after disaster can be long and tedious. Let a disaster recovery specialist assist you with your business and home to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. More on disaster recovery services.
The American Red Cross Mountain Valley Chapter has begun offering free emergency preparedness classes to area residents. Many have found themselves not knowing what to do when disaster strikes. The classes teach the students how to prepare for an emergency situation and will show what to do in unusual circumstances.
Topics the classes cover range from setting up a shelter, to assessing damage, to helping others. The target audience of the classes are families and the classes are taught by different people in a range of fields. Brett Cross, a volunteer coordinator for this chapter of the American Red Cross pointed out: “The disaster courses are designed to help people who want to respond in emergency situations; the emergency preparedness classes help people become individually prepared.”
The disaster classes begin the first week of each month with volunteer orientation at the beginning of the week. Participants are not required to sign up as a Red Cross volunteer. Emergency preparedness classes are offered the last Thursday of every month at Brigham Young University. More on this story.
The state of Vermont suffered severe winter storms throughout the month of December 2008. As a result, the head of FEMA has announced that federal disaster aid was made available for recovery efforts.
President Bush declared the state of Vermont to have suffered a major disaster. FEMA listed a summary of benefits they will provide:
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Check out the FEMA website for more information and to see how to apply for assistance.
“Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down — you’ve got the beginning of a plan.”—The American Red Cross
This quote from the American Red Cross show what it takes to start an emergency plan. How ready are you? Find out by taking the Red Cross’ Readiness Quotient. Find out your score to see if you would know what to do if there was a disaster.
Families can work together in creating a safety plan with these worksheets. It includes tips on how to make an escape route, safety checklist, and games for children.
The American Red Cross has also made an instructional video, which is hosted by Cheyenne, a popular Latino singer. The video helps one know how to make a kit, a plan, and be ready.
The state of Vermont suffered severe winter storms throughout the month of December 2008. As a result, the head of FEMA has announced that federal disaster aid was made available for recovery efforts.
