HONOLULU, HI-
The Hawaii Red Cross Shelter has opened a shelter at the Pahoa Community Center to support the individuals and families impacted by the storm. Residents needing to stay in the shelter will be provided with meals and a cot to sleep on and will also be able to take a shower and charge their phones at any time of the day.
On Tuesday, August 12th, Red Cross volunteers will be distributing meals as well as batteries, water, work gloves, trash bags, and tarps at the following locations and times:
Pahoa Community Center parking lot – 15-2910 Puna Road, Pahoa (10am-6pm)
Puna Covenant Church – 16-647 Old Volcano Road, Keaau (10am-1pm)
Big Island Damage Assessment Teams are continuing to visit the hardest hit areas to determine what resources and assistance can be provided.
RETURNING HOME AFTER THE STORM
The Red Cross advises that people should return home only when officials say it is safe. Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates and stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding. Follow these tips when returning home, especially if you experienced flooding:
Avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
If possible, leave children and pets with a relative or friend. If not, keep them away from hazards and floodwater.
Beware of rodents, insects, and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines, foundation cracks and other exterior damage. It may be too dangerous to enter the home.
Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.
Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury\
Smell for gas. If you smell natural gas or propane, or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and contact the fire department.
If your home was flooded, assume it is contaminated with mold. Mold increases health risks for those with asthma, allergies or other breathing conditions.
Open doors and windows. Let the house air out before staying inside for any length of time if the house was closed for more than 48 hours.
Turn the main electrical power and water systems off until you or a professional can ensure that they are safe. NEVER turn the power on or off, or use and electrical tool or appliance while standing in water.
Check the ceiling and floor for signs of sagging. Water may be trapped in the ceiling or floors may be unsafe to walk on.
USING GENERATORS SAFELY
Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment people want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
Additional tips for safe home generator use can be found at redcross.org/prepare/disaster/power-outage/safe-generator-use.
How You Can Help
Help people affected by disasters like tropical storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org/donate, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.