AFTER THE HURRICANES – What to Do When Returning Home
Flooding and Post-Hurricane Damage Assessment

MEDIA NOTE: The American Red Cross is available as a resource for you and your news crews. Contact the Public Affairs Desk at 202-303-5551, 24/7, to request a representative for an interview. Presently, Red Cross experts are available in Florida on the operation to talk about disaster preparedness and the current responses.

WASHINGTON, Sunday, September 26, 2004 — With yet another round of flooding and water damage from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, the American Red Cross is providing post-hurricane plans and guidelines to Floridians returning home after this storm.

After providing shelter to nearly 400,000 people and more than 8 million meals during the past six weeks to people affected by the hurricanes, the Red Cross reminds families leaving the shelters to return home that safety is a primary concern. As soon as it is safe, thousands of Red Cross volunteers and staff from across the nation will begin positioning fresh water, supplies and clean-up kits for affected Floridians. The Red Cross is also working closely with government and non-profit partners to help provide relief after the storm.

It is important for people in the hurricane-affected areas to follow all public safety and law enforcement directives. Having a battery-operated portable or transistor radio is a valuable tool for getting information about public utilities, transportation, boil water advisories and local resources. Here are some tips for post-hurricane safety:

Home Safety

• Perimeter Check ¨C Before entering the home, walk around the outside and look at the exterior. If there are cracks around the foundation, call a home construction professional to inspect the home.
• Check for Gas ¨C If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the fire department. Use a flashlight to illuminate the internal environment.
• Lighting ©¤ Do not use an open flame, candles or lighter for interior lighting.
• Water Damage ¨C If water has been inside your home, turn off the power or circuit breaker with a dry stick to prevent shock while inspecting. Wait until appliances are dry before turning them back on.
• Sewer and Water ¨C If the sewers have overflowed or the water is contaminated, do not run the water faucet or flush the toilets.
• For more information about repairing your flooded home, go to www.redcross.org.

Food Safety:

• FIRST, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator. If the power is out for two days or longer, it is likely that food in the refrigerator has spoiled and should be discarded.
• THEN, use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer door, post a list of freezer contents on the outside. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods may still have ice crystals in their centers for up to three days. Food in the freezer that still has ice on it may be safe to eat, but if it has thawed or reached a temperature above 40 degrees, it should also be discarded.
• Get more information on food safety during a power outage at www.redcross.org.

Water Safety:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the storm ¨C about eight glasses per day.
• Avoid alcohol as it can dehydrate and make a person more thirsty.
• Drink bottled water until you know that the water supplies are safe. If you run out, drink water from melted ice or even from the water heater once it has cooled.
• You may use water stored in a bath tub for cleaning or flushing the toilet, but not for drinking or cooking.
• For more information on water treatment go to www.redcross.org.

With thousands of American Red Cross personnel and volunteers mobilized from around the country, restoring communities and assisting in disaster relief is a priority.

For further information on returning home after a flood, please go to www.redcross.org. For more information regarding tropical storm and hurricane preparedness information, please visit more of our disaster readiness online resources, contact your local Red Cross chapter, or call the toll-free American Red Cross hotline 1-866-GET-INFO.

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 these hurricanes or thousands of other disasters across the country each year 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 those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW 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, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.