Prepare for worsening extreme weather during National Preparedness Month

By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager

During National Preparedness Month in September, the American Red Cross of Northern New England urges everyone to prepare for more weather extremes, as we’ve seen our responses to climate disasters, like flooding, rise across our region.

Severe weather, like escalating hurricanes, deadly tornadoes and the recent catastrophic flooding in Vermont, are part of a worsening national trend, in which the Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.

As rapidly intensifying, weather-related events pose serious challenges to its humanitarian work and the people it serves, the Red Cross has announced an ambitious national plan to take urgent action. With more climate-driven disasters upending lives and devastating communities, the organization is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country, while also funding new international programs on climate response and preparedness, as well as minimizing its own environmental footprint.

Here in Northern New England, our weather-related responses have risen considerably over the last three years. In 2023, we’ve seen a 50% increase in weather-related responses, compared to this time last year – and it’s changing the way need to train and prepare our disaster volunteers. Unlike home fires, where recovery needs are typically limited to the individual or families impacted, these weather-related disasters are affecting entire communities – and often our volunteers too.

“As the frequency and intensity of disasters grow, more people need help more often,” said John Montes, Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer, Northern New England Region. “Yet as fast as our volunteers are working to help, the needs are escalating faster. That’s why it’s critical to not only prepare yourself for risks like severe flooding and more intense winter storms in our community, but to also help families in need — both locally and in other parts of the country. Join us by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to support our disaster relief efforts.”

For National Preparedness Month, take three lifesaving actions — get a kit, make a plan and be informed — to help protect yourself against local emergencies. Follow safety tips now at redcross.org/prepare. You can also deliver relief and care to families facing climate disasters by becoming a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/VolunteerToday.

In the first half of 2023, the nation experienced a record 15 billion-dollar disasters, including catastrophic atmospheric rivers in California and deadly tornadoes in the South and Midwest. The Red Cross has also responded to the deadliest wildfires of the last century in Hawaii, a powerful typhoon in the U.S. territory of Guam. That’s all on top of day after day of extreme heat, which made July the country’s hottest single month on record, resulting in record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures. What’s more, the U.S. is just now entering its typical peak time for hurricanes and wildfires.

ADAPTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS

As extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross in the U.S. Nationwide, the organization is taking bold and thoughtful actions to adapt its services and grow its capacity by:

• Enhancing large-scale disaster response services by bolstering the aid provided in emergency shelters and extending casework support to help people with the most recovery needs.
• Expanding financial assistance to help more families with unmet needs and bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery assistance.
• Strengthening local partner networks in targeted areas that face a high risk of extreme weather and existing societal inequities with a focus on increased access to health and mental health services, nutritious food and safe housing for local families.
• Growing its disaster workforce — comprised of 90% trained volunteers — to deepen its disaster readiness. This includes fortifying the critical infrastructure and technology that enables 24/7 response to disasters across the country.

SUPPORT OUR DISASTER RELIEF WORK

Help people affected by disasters big and small, by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters in the U.S. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IMPACTS TO THE NATIONAL BLOOD SUPPLY

The Red Cross has seen a significant shortfall in blood and platelet donations over the last month, making it hard to keep pace with the need for blood products. Blood and platelet donations that go uncollected due to climate-related events, such as hurricanes, wildfires and extreme heat, can put further strain on the national blood supply. As extreme weather events are worsening, the Red Cross is seeing that translate into more blood drive cancellations. In 2022, over 1,300 blood drives were canceled due to weather  —  about 23% higher than the previous nine-year average.

In thanks for helping ensure the nation’s blood supply is prepared for all emergencies, from disasters to medical emergencies, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Details are available at rcblood.org/racetogive. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you are unable to give blood you can volunteer to support blood collections. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more.