Canadian Red Cross ready for hurricane Earl

The Red Cross also encourages the public to prepare early.

According to a news release, the Red Cross has about 900 disaster volunteers in Atlantic Canada, trained to national standards and organized geographically into 21 emergency response teams (ERTs).

In each Atlantic province it has a Disaster Operations Centre equipped with backup power and telecommunications equipment, plus response vehicles and trailers, as well as shelter supplies like blankets, cots and comfort kits pre-positioned at 26 locations.

"We have contacted our ERT leaders, confirmed which volunteers are available to us through the long weekend, checked equipment, ensured vehicles are fuelled and trailers are stocked, and touched base with government authorities who likewise are reviewing contingency plans," said Bill Lawlor, Red Cross director of disaster management for Atlantic Canada.

Since hurricanes can heavily impact some areas yet completely bypass others, Red Cross volunteers from unaffected areas can be deployed to another region or province if needed. Services that emergency authorities could request from the Red Cross include equipping and managing shelters for anyone evacuated due to flooding, storm surges, road washouts or other critical infrastructure damage, as well as providing registration and inquiry services, or distributing materials.

"Now's the time for individuals to update their household emergency plan and list of key contact information for family members, health providers, employers as well as vital details like insurance policy numbers," said Lawlor.

"Have an emergency kit you can use at home or grab and go if evacuated that contains basic supplies for your family to be self-sufficient for at least three days." - Bill Lawlor

"Have an emergency kit you can use at home or grab and go if evacuated that contains basic supplies for your family to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Key items include bottled water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, flashlight, spare house and car keys, special needs like prescription medications or eyeglasses and some cash in small bills and coins."

Major storms can disrupt power, communications and transportation, which means stores, service station gas pumps and ATMs may be unavailable, and businesses that do remain open may accept cash only because debit or credit services are off-line. And with trees still in full foliage, they are more susceptible to being toppled or having large limbs snapped by sustained winds.

"We've all seen images of crushed cars beneath toppled trees so it's worth moving vehicles away from trees until the brunt of any storm has passed," Lawlor said.

Outdoor items like lawn furniture, toys, garbage cans and barbeques can also become deadly projectiles in hurricane-force winds and should be taken inside or tied down. Additional tips on preparing an emergency plan and kit and what to do before, during an after any major storm are online at www.redcross.ca/ready.

Also, track hurricane Earl on The Telegram website's Storm Watch.