MOBILE, Ala., April 15, 2011 – The American Red Cross South Alabama Region is monitoring the severe weather and possible tornadoes moving through our area. In the coming days we will be meeting with the families affected and will assist them with their immediate emergency needs based on the extent of the damage to their homes. Affected families should call (251) 544-6100 for more information about Red Cross assistance.

Red Cross emergency assistance can include food, clothing, shelter, emotional support, and referrals; the level of assistance given is determined by a caseworker who meets with each family to assess their immediate emergency needs and provides assistance according to the extent of the damage to their home.

The National Weather Service and the American Red Cross recently issued new recommendations about what to do if you are caught outdoors during a tornado.

• The best way to stay safe during a tornado is to go to an underground shelter such as a basement.
• If no underground shelter is available, the safest alternative is a small windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building, such as an interior bathroom.
• Residents of mobile homes should go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter if a tornado threatens.
• If you are caught outdoors during a tornado and can't quickly walk to a shelter, then the Red Cross and the National Service now recommend that you immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park.

As a last resort you should either:

• Stay in your car with the seat belt buckled. Put your head down below the windows, and cover your head with your hands or a blanket if possible. Keep engine running so that airbags are armed to add an extra protection level.
• Or if you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands or a blanket if possible.

The Red Cross and the National Weather Service are committed to working together to help people stay safe during emergencies like tornadoes by assessing new research findings. The new safety guidelines were developed based on evidence-based research.

The Red Cross depends on the generosity of the American people to fulfill our mission providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for , and respond to emergencies. People can help those affected by severe weather and other emergencies by making a financial donation to the American Red Cross South Alabama Region by calling (251) 544-6100 or mailing to P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633. For more information about your local American Red Cross, go to www.redcrossalcoast.org.

# # #

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the South Alabama Region:
Since 1917, the South Alabama Region has been upholding the American Red Cross mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia, Washington, Choctaw, Conecuh, Covington, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston Counties. The American Red Cross is a volunteer organization supported by the donations of the people in our community. The American Red Cross South Alabama Region is a United Way Partner Agency.