Disaster Services

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

The Good News Is That We Can Help

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to “carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.” The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people’s immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

Disaster Assistance
What does the Red Cross do in times of disaster?

After a disaster strikes your community, you may be left feeling disoriented. Not only will you need to be aware of possible post-disaster dangers, but you may need to access damages and repair your home.

Picking up the Pieces After a Disaster

The American Red Cross has prepared this information to encourage you take precautions to help keep you safe and speed your recovery after a disaster. You will also find ideas on what you can do to help make yourself and your home safer from future disasters. more…

Water Treatment
In addition to having a bad odor, and taste, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms. more…

Food Safety
Perishable foods should not be held above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours. more…

Generators
If you choose to buy a generator, make sure you get one that is listed with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). more…

Recovering Financially
A disaster can cause significant financial loss. Take the time now to assess your situation and ask questions. more…

Chemical Emergencies
Return home only when authorities say it is safe. more…

Earthquakes
Check yourself for injuries. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. more…

Fires
Give first aid where needed. After calling 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, cool and cover burns, which reduces the chance of further injury or infection. more…
Picking Up The Pieces After a Fire – PDF
Picking Up The Pieces After a Fire – HTML

Floods
Your home and its contents may look beyond hope, but many of your belongings can be restored. Important Steps in flood recovery
Repairing Your Flooded Home

Heat Waves
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. more…

Hurricanes
Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked. more…

Mudslides
Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides. more…

Thunderstorms
Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked. more…

Tornadoes
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately. more…

Tsunami
Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio, Coast Guard emergency frequency station, or other reliable source for emergency information. The tsunami may have damaged roads, bridges, or other places that may be unsafe. more…

Volcanoes
If possible, stay away from volcanic ashfall areas. The fine, glassy particles of volcanic ash can increase the health risk to children and people with existing respiratory conditions. more…

Wild Fires
Use caution and exercise good judgment when re-entering a burned wildland area. Hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning. more…

Winter Storms
Before the onset of cold weather, prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes by following these recommendations. more…

Response Volunteers

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, both natural and man-made. As you watch disaster relief efforts unfold, you may wonder how the Red Cross recruits and trains volunteers. Chapters all over the country offer Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) System training to equip volunteers with the proper training and knowledge to prepare them for deployment when disaster strikes. During times of large scale disasters and devastation there are also many individuals who step forward, eager to do whatever they can to help. When these spontaneous volunteers offer their assistance, we often put their talents to use on-site and behind the scenes after orienting them to Red Cross services and determining how they may best help those affected by the disaster. . If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross to help in disaster services, please review our new online Introduction to Disaster Services Course to learn more about the lifesaving services we provide.

Emergency Planning

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services–water, gas, electricity or telephones–were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.
more…

Terrorism–Preparing for the Unexpected

Food and Water in an Emergency (A5055)(FEMA 477)

Shelter-in-Place in an Emergency

Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes

Power Outage

Family Disaster Planning
Preparing for Disaster (A4600)(FEMA 475)
Make sure your family has a plan in place before a disaster occurs. Tips are provided on how to prepare for any event with a plan that includes a supplies kit and emergency checklist for your important personal considerations, items and documents.

Helping Children Cope with Disasters (A4499)(FEMA 478)
Find tips on how to help your child to cope with disaster.

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (A4497)(FEMA 476)
Additional information for the elderly and people with mobility impairments or hearing, seeing, or learning disabilities.

Animal Safety
Make sure you are ready to handle pets, service animals and livestock during an emergency.

Financial Preparations
How to minimize property damage and financial risks.

Business & Industry Guide
A step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes.