Indiana Region of American Red Cross offers preparedness tips for severe storms predicted today

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting severe storms throughout today that have the potential to produce damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross stands ready to assist communities that may be impacted by the storms.

Here are tips to plan and prepare for severe weather:

– Prepare an emergency kit. Items that should be in the kit can be found here.

– Develop a communications plan with family and friends

– Have a way to receive emergency alerts. Download the Red Cross Emergency app

– Know the difference between a watch and a warning. Details on watches and warnings are here.

– Make an emergency plan. Learn how to make a plan here.

The Red Cross stands ready to respond to disasters that might displace families. Local Red Cross volunteers provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and recovery help to guide them through their next steps. During COVID-19, volunteers can deliver certain support virtually by working with the local fire department and emergency management to connect with affected residents by phone or video call. To learn more about becoming a Disaster Action Team volunteer, visit redcross.org/dat.

About the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross: The Indiana Region serves 104 counties across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois through its six-chapter areas: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). For more information on the Indiana Region: www.redcross.org/indiana. Follow the Indiana Region on Twitter at: @INRedCross, on Instagram at: @indianaredcross or www.facebook.com/INRedCross.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.