FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Portland, ORE, July 25, 2024] — Residents of Oregon and SW Washington are in the middle of a busy wildfire season as the climate crisis threatens to upend more communities. The American Red Cross Cascades Region opened our first shelter in La Pine on June 25th due to the Darlene 3 Fire and we have not stopped since. We are currently operating in 4 different locations in our region plus we are helping support or neighboring Red Cross regions in Washington, Idaho and Montana.
“This is part of a nationwide trend where natural disasters are becoming more frequent and intense. In 2023, an estimated 2.5 million were forced from their homes by weather-related disasters— with more than a third displaced for longer than a month,” says Red Cross Cascades CEO Priscilla Fuentes.
The best defense in an emergency is to be prepared and the American Red Cross, Cascades Region advises everyone to get ready now.
- Build an emergency kit. Stock it with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information. If you have pets or kids, consider packing items for them.
- Make an evacuation plan. What will you do if you are separated from your family during an emergency? Where will you go and where will you meet? Know evacuation routes in your community and make sure you have gas in your car.
- Know how to stay informed. Watch the local news, follow first responders on social media, check the websites of emergency managers, transportation agencies, and law enforcement to learn how you can receive evacuation orders and evacuate safely.
- Plus, download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and more safety tips. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
PAY ATTENTION TO EVACUATION ORDERS:
Level 1-Be Ready
Level 2-Get Set
Level 3-Go Now
- Follow evacuation guidelines set by emergency managers. Level 3 evacuations mean “GO NOW.” Don’t hesitate to leave when instructed.
- If you are elderly or have access and functional limitations, consider leaving during a level 2 “GET SET” evacuation.
- Be aware of road closures so you know how to leave the affected area safely.
- Make sure you have gas in your car in case you must leave.
- Bring masks or other devices to help protect you from wildfire smoke.
WHO ARE WE HELPING?
Everyone is welcome in our shelters, and we are hearing incredible stories like this one from Marc Berry. Read more HERE.
VOLUNTEER TODAY The Red Cross is seeking new volunteers who are team-oriented and want to make an immediate difference. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to sign up. Free online training will be provided.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Red Cross braces for record heat over the holiday weekend
Follow tips for extreme heat and be safe.
Portland, ORE (July 5, 2024)
We are on track to break high temperature records in Oregon and SW Washington over the next couple of days. This creates a health risk for vulnerable populations and should be taken seriously.
Extreme heat is deadly and kills more people than any other weather event. In addition to that, the climate crisis is making extreme heat events more frequent, more severe, and last longer.
The American Red Cross recommends taking four steps to stay safe in extreme heat:
- Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks, and avoid the hottest part of the day. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle alone.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to fresh water and shade.
- Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or public cooling center. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and don’t have air conditioning.
- Organize supplies in a Go Kit or Stay-at-Home Kit. In the event of a power outage, have supplies including batteries and chargers for your devices like flashlights, cell phones, CPAP machines, wheelchairs, etc. Have fresh water, nonperishable foods, and medications on hand.
Learn more extreme weather tips HERE.
Pic/graphic: HERE
Red Cross Emergency App HERE
The all-inclusive Emergency App combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe including information about what to do in case of floods, thunderstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires and more. The emergency alerts are available for the user’s location and to monitor where friends and family live. A single map provides open Red Cross shelter locations and weather information. Download HERE
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, including 65 hospitals in the Northwest; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or www.CruzRojaAmericana.org or follow us on social media.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center, Washington Square, Bridgeport Village and Pioneer Place Compete to Save Lives
Portland, Ore (July 2, 2024) — Five Portland Metropolitan malls are gearing up for a little friendly competition during the American Red Cross Cascades City-Wide Mall Challenge blood drive, Wednesday, July 3 and Friday, July 5 at the following locations:
- Clackamas Town Center
(Lower level near Macy’s)
Sponsor Code: mallchallenge
- Lloyd Center
(Across from Gambit Games)
Sponsor Code: LloydCenterMall
- Washington Square
(South mall near former Sears location)
Sponsor Code: WashingtonSquare
- Pioneer Place (July 2nd only)
(Lower level across from Boba Tea)
Sponsor Code: PioneerPlace
- Bridgeport Village
(Next to Peet’s coffee)
Sponsor Code: BridgeportVillage
“We love a competition where everybody wins. Come into your local mall, escape the heat outside, and donate blood.” says Angel Montes, Regional Executive, American Red Cross. “A single donation can help save more than one life.”
The American Red Cross often sees blood supplies dwindle during summer months as people leave town on vacation and we know the need for blood is constant. “If we can encourage people to make blood donation part of their summer plans with fun events like these, we could prevent a seasonal blood shortage.
HOW: Visit RedCrossBlood.org then enter the sponsor code above for the mall of your choice and make your appointment today.
INCENTIVES: We’ve teamed up with Universal Pictures to help avoid summer blood shortages. Come give July 1-14 for a TWISTERS & Red Cross umbrella, ltd qty. All who come out in July also get a Fandango Movie Ticket by email! Enter to win a Ram truck! Details Here.
The mall to collect the most blood donations will receive a trophy and bragging rights. Come join us!
###