Your Red Cross Update

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM Monday to 11 AM Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. The type of weather patterns that can cause a warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above. Multiple counties in American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region are under Red Flag Warnings, including parts of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and East Bay Hills.

In response to the Red Flag warnings, Red Cross volunteers are mobilizing to ensure equipment, supplies, and teams are ready to go at a moment’s notice if needed. The Red Cross is in regular communication with government partners to determine potential needs in case a wildfire breaks out. As Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) open or are put on standby, Red Cross Government Liaisons are staffing them and ensuring availability of Red Cross services are known and requested as appropriate.

While Red Cross does not open shelters during power outages alone, we may support our government and community partners during a public safety power shutoff event by loaning out cots, providing mass care subject matter expertise, and delivering snacks and drinks should they decided to open community resource centers.  Red Cross has also mapped out where potential public safety power shutoff events may impact our offices and potential shelter locations, and have contingency plans in place with either secondary locations or generators available.

Red Cross is sharing emergency notifications and wildfire preparedness tips on our social account on Facebook and Twitter. For people living in a fire warning area, Red Cross encourages them to have an emergency plan in place, fill your gas tank, pre-stage your emergency kits in case of evacuation, and plan for your pets!

 

Visit redcross.org/prepare for more tips and preparedness resources and share this information on your social channels.