Red Cross Responds as Tropical Storm Dolly Continues to Ravage Texas

Some return home as others prepare to evacuate

by Maya Pai and Jenny Agee-Aldridge

Thursday, July 24, 2008 — Hurricane Dolly pounded Southeast Texas yesterday leaving high floodwaters and debris.  And it’s not over yet.  With wind gusts up to 60 mph, Dolly remains an intense storm that will affect residents for the next few days.  The American Red Cross is prepared to respond with more than 30 mobile response vehicles and more than 300 volunteers in the area.

As Hurricane Dolly bears down on the southeast coast of Texas on July 23, residents hit the highways. Location: State Road 77, Raymondville, TX. Photo Credit: Cynthia Gutierrez-White, American Red Cross

As some return home to assess the damage, others are just beginning to feel the effects as the storm moves westward.  Because affected areas are impacted with rising floodwaters, the Red Cross is cautioning residents to be aware of their surroundings.  Floodwaters are often deceptively deep and quick moving. Drivers are urged not to attempt to cross floodwaters. Instead, if a flooded road is encountered, residents should turn around and find an alternate route. If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, residents should get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

People in storm-ravaged communities are urged to register themselves and their loved ones as Safe and Well at www.redcross.org to allow family and friends across the state and around the country know of their status. The Safe and Well Web site is an easy way to assist people seeking information about those who've registered their status during this emergency.
The American Red Cross has issued tips for after the hurricane:

• Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
• If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
• Power Outage Safety
• Food Safety
• Portable Generator Safety
• Water treatment
• Chainsaw Safety

How You Can Help
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like Tropical Storm Dolly, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

Related Content:

• Hurricane Dolly Makes Landfall as Red Cross Volunteers Assist Evacuees

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