Red Cross Offers Hurricane Prep Training in L.B.

Officials from the American Red Cross and the City of Long Beach joined together to announce plans for free preparedness training at City Hall on Monday.

Titled “Be Red Cross Ready,” the program will help residents learn how to build a disaster kit, create a family plan, and be better informed, according to the Red Cross.

According to a recent Red Cross survey, despite Hurricane Sandy’s devastation many coastal residents across the New York and New Jersey region have not taken the measures needed to prepare.

“We know all too well that preparedness saves lives and to learn that too few have taken steps is disconcerting,” said John Miller, CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island. “Yet one of the things we learned from the poll was that 9-out-10 would feel safer if they had a disaster kit and a plan in place—and programs like this help accomplish that.”

While it is impossible to predict if Long Island will be impacted by a coastal storm this year, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season is forecast to be extremely active with 13-20 named storms. On Sunday, Tropical Storm Chantal formed in the Atlantic and is heading into the Caribbean.

“Superstorm Sandy was devastating and together we are rebuilding,” said Long Beach City Council President Scott Mandel. “Yet recovery is more than seeing homes fixed, or the return of the boardwalk, it’s about helping our residents and community to be better prepared. We thank the Red Cross for their continued support.”

Four Be Red Cross Ready sessions will held on the sixth floor of Long Beach City Hall at 6 p.m., July 11, July 31, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21. A presentation geared specifically for senior citizens will take place at the Senior Center, at 650 Magnolia Blvd., at 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 14.

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Beyond the presentations, residents are encouraged to download the free Red Cross Hurricane App to their smartphones. The app is available for iPhone and Android devices through the Apple and Google stores. More information can be found online at www.redcross.org/mobileapps.