Storm Ravaged Residents Urged to Register with Safe and Well

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, June 2008 — People in storm ravaged communities across the Central United States are urged to register themselves and their loved ones on the Safe and Well website, to allow family and friends around the country know of their status. Safe and Well is an easy way to assist people seeking to locate those who’ve registered their status during this emergency.

The Red Cross has developed this online tool to help families and individuals notify loved ones that they are safe during an emergency. Letting your family know that you are safe during an emergency can bring great peace of mind.

“At the American Red Cross we want to make difficult situations like this a little bit easier by giving families and friends a resource to get this important information,” said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President, Disaster Services. “Knowing that those we care about are safe is a relief that allows people to focus on what to do next.”

The Safe and Well website is easy to use:

Visit RedCross.org, and click on the Safe and Well link
If you are currently being affected by these disasters, click: “List Myself as Safe and Well”, enter your pre-disaster address and phone number, and select any of the standard message options
If you are concerned about a loved one, click “Search” and enter the person’s name and pre-disaster phone number OR address. If they have registered, you will be able to view the messages that they posted.
If you don’t have internet access, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.
The Red Cross is currently providing disaster relief throughout several states dealing with the onslaught of rain, tornadoes, flooding and other disasters, offering sheltering, feeding, emergency assistance and other support.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like floods and tornadoes by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.