One picture says a lot about Red Cross service

While out at Rocky Mount's Englewood Baptist Church, where Gov. Bev Perdue was touring the Red Cross shelter Monday morning, I came across this photo of Red Cross volunteer Rebekah Cain taking care of one of the youngest residents of the shelter. I snapped a picture of Rebekah and little Tyler Morris as she stood in the shadow of a Red Cross trailer, trying to stay out of the heat and away from any distractions that might keep the tired toddler awake.

Evacuation shelters can be difficult for youngsters, which is why the Red Cross urges parents to bring toys and games for the children. The youngest children can easily become over-excited in a new environment and have difficulty sleeping. In those situations, it's great to have dedicated volunteers like Rebekah who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the children happy and let them get the sleep they need.

Things you learn when surviving a hurricane

Here we are again, huddled up indoors while a hurricane rages outside. Folks of a certain age learn a few things about surviving a hurricane, and this axiom applies to folks who are 100 miles inland as well as those along the coast.

If you're not evacuating and are instead staying at home, here are some things I learned about getting through a hurricane, courtesy of Fran in 1996 and Floyd in 1999.

1. Expect electricity to be out, at least for a while. With Fran and Floyd, my wife and I went without electricity for nearly a week each time.

2. Invest in some lights that will actually provide enough illumination to read. When you can't watch TV or listen to the radio or stereo, being able to read is important. Electric lanterns that throw a circle of light are best for reading. Regular flashlights don't work very well at all, and neither do oil lanterns or candles.

3. A gas hot-water heater will allow you to take showers even when the electricity has been off for days and days. You can survive cold showers, but a hot shower is a wonderful luxury when the house is dark.

4. A gas stove is also preferable to an electric stove when the electricity goes off. Although the coffee maker might not work after the power goes off, you can use a gas stove to heat water and make tea or coffee the hard way. If the electricity is off long enough, you'll get used to it. A gas stove also allows you to cook meals. The microwave won't work, but you can cook a lot of nutritious food on the cooktop.

5. You might be able to find a gas-powered refrigerator. These are not common in North Carolina, and I've never used one, but that concept really sounds great after the electricity has been out a few days and the frozen foods are starting to thaw.

The Red Cross urges people to prepare for emergencies. A gas stove and gas water heater are good preparation steps for the next hurricane or other power outage.

Time is short; winds are strong

Time is getting short for making sure you're prepared for Hurricane Irene. The latest forecast has Irene making landfall along the Outer Banks before noon on Saturday. This morning's track is slightly west of Thursday's but still making landfall and still sending tropical storm-force winds far inland. Be prepared, folks!

Westward jog by Irene increases hazards inland

The following is this morning's report on Hurricane Irene from Emergency Management in Wilson County:

This storm has jogged a little more to the left.  As of 10:00 (our conference call with NWS), we potentially can receive tropical storm force winds in our area.  And up to 4 inches of rain or more.

•Tropical Storm and Hurricane watches have been issued for the Carolinas…see the following link for details: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/250852.shtml?

•A slight shift to the left in the official forecast track has been noted, but worst impacts still expected to remain east of I-95.

•Impacts for the central portion of the state on Saturday will include:

–Occasional heavy rain as the outer bands pass across the area. Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches expect…with localized heavier amounts. Greatest rainfall amounts east of I-95 where greater than 6 inches is possible.

–Strongest winds should also remain east of I-95. However…isolated gusts up to 40 mph can’t be ruled out with the passage of the outer bands

–Greatest risk of flooding will remain across the eastern portion of the state. Localized poor drainage ponding or flooding possible across the central portion of the state with the heavier showers.

•Major marine and coastal impacts expected, including storm surge and coastal flooding, high winds, dangerous surf, and rip currents. For additional details regarding the immediate coastal impacts, please see the briefings from NWS Newport and NWS Wilmington at:

•NWS Newport briefing: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/downloads/briefings/

•NWS Wilmington briefing: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/downloads/briefings/

•Confidence Factor: With the slight shift back to the left…it should be noted that central NC residents should not let their guard down…and additional track adjustments…and thus impact adjustments…are still possible…so stay tuned!

Wilson County at this time will continue to monitor the storm.

We will make the decision on Friday as to if or when/where we will open shelters.

We will make the decision on Friday as to whether or not we will open our Emergency Operations Center

Hurricane Irene wiggles leftward

The latest storm track for Hurricane Irene has it shifting slightly to the west, bringing the Category 3 storm over the Outer Banks instead of just offshore. This minute shift could have a big impact on locations farther inland. Tropical storm force winds could be felt as far west as Interstate 95, according to Wilson County Emergency Management. Unless the track changes dramatically, the North Carolina coast is in for quite a blow.

Red Cross emergency officials continue to track the storm in daily conference calls and will adjust response plans to meet the needs as they develop.

Spontaneous volunteers

With Hurricane Irene lurking in the Atlantic, the American Red Cross is preparing for the probability that shelters will have to be opened for evacuees. The  Frederick E. Turnage Chapter (Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Halifax and Northampton counties) has tentatively scheduled a Friday morning class for spontaneous volunteers -- people who have not previously volunteered with Red Cross but who want to help out during the hurricane. To sign up for the class, call 252-237-2171 or 252-977-1720. All volunteers will undergo a background check. Callers will be notified about class time and location.

Other chapters may also be accepting spontaneous volunteers. Call your local chapter for more information.

Preparing for a big storm

American Red Cross volunteers are busily preparing for the possible arrival of Hurricane Irene, which could reach eastern North Carolina shores by Saturday morning. The Red Cross is also advising eastern North Carolina residents to get themselves, their families, their homes and vehicles, and their pets ready for strong winds and drenching rains. Watch this video for some expert advice on how to prepare for the storm that's coming:



Hurricane Irene's projected path has veered slightly eastward over the past 24 hours. If that eastward turn continues, it could dodge the North Carolina coast altogether. But hurricanes, despite all of our sophisticated forecasting, are unpredictable, so preparations continue for a possible landfall in North Carolina, and the Red Cross advises all eastern North Carolina residents to have a plan, have a kit and keep informed.