The American Red Cross is on alert and increasing its preparations for Hurricane Earl, as this category 4 storm gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean.

  • The Red Cross, in coordination with government partners, opened four shelters Monday morning on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John.
  • A leadership team of seven disaster workers specializing in logistics, feeding, sheltering and response technology arrived in the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend to support the local chapter with preparations for the hurricane.
  • Red Cross warehouses on the islands are equipped with thousands of cots and blankets, plus kerosene lanterns, comfort kits and cleanup supplies, all ready to be distributed to people in the path of the hurricane. The Puerto Rico Red Cross chapter is also supporting stranded travelers while the airport there is closed.

Hurricane Earl could affect the Atlantic Coast later this week, and the Red Cross is getting ready.

  • Hurricane Earl is expected be a very wide storm and while the eye may not make landfall on the east coast some inland areas could experience flooding and high winds. 
  • Up and down the East Coast, we have trained disaster relief workers, mobile feeding vehicles and trucks equipped with communications technology on alert. 
  • This is predicted to be a fast moving storm so residents along the East Coast should be vigilant. Now is a good time to finalize hurricane plans and update emergency supplies kits. 
  • The Red Cross recommends three quick steps to take now to be prepared for emergencies like hurricanes – build a kit, make a plan and be informed.

Hurricane Earl is likely to cause powerful rip currents all along the East Coast. The Red Cross advises anyone visiting beaches to swim only on lifeguard protected beaches and within designated swimming areas.

  • If caught in a rip current, remember to remain calm and avoid fighting against the current.
  • Instead, swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. 
  • If unable to swim out of the current, float or calmly tread water.
  • If possible, yell for help and draw attention to yourself. 
  • Visit www.redcross.org for more preparedness and safety tips.

Red Cross work starts before a hurricane makes landfall. In fact, we keep a variety of supplies and equipment on stand by year round to be ready to help people in need.

  • In an average year, the Red Cross spends about $450 million on disaster relief throughout the U.S. This includes the costs for shelters, feeding efforts, supplies for disaster victims and health and mental health efforts.
  • This amount also includes the costs to be ready to respond to any disaster by maintaining those things that help the Red Cross to get assistance to people in need. 
  • For example, we have 26 warehouses stocked with disaster relief supplies, more than 90,000 trained workers, and more than 320 mobile response vehicles ready to respond year round. If we didn’t maintain these resources 24/7, we couldn’t get help to people in a timely fashion.

Please click, text or call to donate to the Red Cross to help people affected by disasters. Every single donation brings hope to those in need.

  • You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. 
  • Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. 
  • Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 
  • Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.