September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross of Western New York’s Southern Tier chapter is urging families to take simple steps now to protect their loved ones in the event of an emergency.
In the past year, Red Cross volunteers responded to 763 disasters across the region’s 27 counties, assisting 1,234 families recovering from severe weather and home fires. That included providing food, water, and support in July to families in Susquehanna County after powerful storms brought high winds and flooding.
“With winter approaching, it’s important to prepare now, not when disaster strikes,” said Zachariah Riley, Executive Director of the Southern Tier chapter. “It’s not about being scared; it’s about being smart and looking out for the people you love. Taking a few simple steps now can make all the difference when it matters most.”
The Red Cross encourages families to take three key actions:
- Make a plan: Decide where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll take if you need to evacuate. Plan ahead if you’ll need help leaving or must use public transportation.
- Build a kit: Gather essentials like food, water, and medicine into a go-kit with three days’ supplies, and a stay-at-home kit with two weeks of food and water plus a month’s worth of medications if possible. Customize for children, pets, or medical needs.
- Stay connected: Write down important phone numbers, create a contact card, and have a plan to reconnect with family if cell service or internet is down.
For more information on how to prepare, visit redcross.org/prepare.
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