It’s CPR/AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, 2010

Learn the Skills and Save a Life! Sidney, Eric and Kathy did.

Across UTAH (Tuesday, June 1, 2010) — The American Red Cross encourages at least one member in every Utah family to take a class and learn First Aid and CPR. June 1-7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Ask a few of the Red Cross course instructors if they’ve ever used their skills to save a life and you’ll hear some interesting stories.

Kathy Allen of Eden, Utah saved her own husband’s life during a scuba trip in Hawaii. Her husband nearly drowned. She and her son performed CPR to save his life. “I really want to encourage Utah families to learn First Aid and CPR. You never know when you are going to need those skills.” Kathy is a volunteer instructor for the Northern Utah Chapter of the Red Cross.

CPR instructor Sidney Curry of Layton recounts, “The year was 1980. We heard a clatter of clubs on the previous green, turned to see the problem and saw a gentleman lying on his back on the green. We ran over and immediately tilted his head and listened for breathing. There was none so I gave him two rescue breaths and he coughed and came to. Someone called 911 so we got him to a bench and monitored him until the paramedics arrived. I called the course the next day and found out that the man was fine even though he had a heart attack. The family said to give profuse thanks. I walked on a cloud for days.” Sidney estimates he’s taught about 15,000 people CPR/First Aid and certified about 500 instructors in California and here in Utah.

Eric Kiltz is a Red Cross volunteer instructor. He uses his CPR and AED skills frequently as he works in a hospital. He also knows his skills can come in handy away from his job. He shared, “The car wreck happened on 3100 South in West Valley several years ago. Some bystanders pulled a teen out of the car before I arrived, when I first walked up to him, he was awake and breathing (although his respirations were labored). When I kneeled down I noticed that he had stopped breathing and had no pulse so I began compressions. A police officer arrived quickly but didn’t have any medical training so he stood by and diverted traffic. It took about 10 minutes until a fire truck came up and the medics relieved me. I never found out what happened to the kid.” Eric does know the teen would have had zero chance of survival without the CPR.


Learn how to save a life, take a class at your local Red Cross.

Visit the Utah Red Cross website to sign up. And share your life-saving stories with us!

It's Snowing in May! Are You Prepared?

This weekend is Memorial Day; pools will open, sunscreen will be bought, families will go camping, and… it will snow?! That’s right it’s snowing in May!!

This is the view from our office; snow on the ground and in the trees.

    

I think I will use this opportunity as a friendly reminder that being prepared doesn’t just mean for the huge earthquake we’re expecting in Utah. Being prepared also means, having your gas tank half full and putting a blanket and an emergency kit in your car in case of a snow storm or your car breaks down. Being prepared means getting trained in First Aid and CPR, so that you can respond to your community wherever help is needed; in the grocery store, on the side of the road or in your own home.

 Start getting prepared today by signing up for a class on our website

This is our new sign in front of our building, covered in snow!

Survey Finds More than Two-thirds of Americans Experience a Summer Emergency

With Memorial Day around the corner and summer about to begin… The Red Cross encourages all Utah families to get training in First Aid, CPR and other lifesaving skills.


A new Red Cross survey shows that 68 percent of Americans have been involved in some kind of summer emergency, ranging from insect bites, heat stroke and broken bones to more life-threatening situations. One in every four people say they have been in a situation where someone needed CPR.


The survey of more than 1,000 adults found that Americans say they are most comfortable giving CPR to family members, friends and coworkers, with less than half very likely to perform CPR on a stranger.


The survey showed that physical appearance was a significant factor when people are deciding to perform CPR on a stranger, and men with a disheveled or sloppy appearance were the least likely to receive assistance, with only half of respondents saying they would very likely try to give them CPR.


Americans plan to be very active this summer, as the survey found that more than 40 percent will go hiking or camping and almost 75 percent will go swimming. While people expect to be active, the Red Cross found that many were not confident they knew what to do in an emergency - less than two-thirds felt confident helping a heat stroke victim and fewer than half could help someone with an allergic reaction to an insect or snake bite.
Previous Red Cross research found that nearly 90 percent of Americans say they want to be prepared for an emergency, but they don’t know where to start or what to do.


“With so many people outdoors camping, hiking and swimming, it’s important that someone in every household get trained in CPR and first aid skills,” says Natalena Schvaneveldt, health and safety expert for the American Red Cross in the Greater Salt Lake Area. “Learning these lifesaving skills is easier and more convenient than you might think and Red Cross training can help people prevent and respond to life’s emergencies – big or small. People can learn basic skills in just a few hours from Red Cross online lessons, products you can purchase for home instruction, and courses available through local Red Cross chapters,” she added.


This year, the Red Cross is offering a new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course designed to teach people how to respond to emergencies when help is delayed. In addition, the Red Cross teaches swimming and water safety skills to more than 2 million people each year, trains millions in life-saving skills through its Lifeguarding and CPR/AED courses, and offers life saving training for young people through its Babysitter Training courses.

More information about Red Cross courses can be found at www.redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter for a schedule of class times and locations. See Chapter contact info below.

Details: Telephone survey of 1,018 U.S. Adults 18 years and older on March 26-29, 2010 conducted by Infogroup | ORC. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross:
Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580
Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000
Cache Valley Area/Logan (435) 752-1125
Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter (801) 323-7000.

Miley Cyrus Supports the Red Cross Relief Efforts in Tennessee

If you're a fan of Miley Cyrus, check out her video, urging you to support the relief efforts underway right now in Tennessee. Even if you're not a fan of hers, the people in Tennessee still need our help!

Donate your time and money to the Red Cross relief efforts wherever you are.

Earthquake Myths on KJZZ with Susan Thomas

http://connect2utah.com/2news-this-morning-story/?nxd_id=89545

Yesterday our Communications Directoe, Susan Thomas went on KJZZ This Morning to talk about earthquake myths. Watch the clip of Susan chatting with the reporter about what to REALLY do in case of an earthquake.

For more tips about earthquakes, check out our website

The Red Cross Helps 14 After 4-Unit Fire Providing shelter, food, clothing and now help finding a new home

Ogden, UTAH (Monday, May 17, 2010) — The American Red Cross is now helping 14 individuals in their efforts to find a new home after this weekend’s fire that damaged four units in Ogden. Of the 14 individuals displaced, five were children and one senior was displaced. The fire occurred at about 8 a.m. on Saturday May 15 at 3080 Eccles Avenue in Ogden. The Red Cross local disaster action team helped the families with a place to stay, meals and immediate essential clothing needs. Today the Red Cross is also helping these families locate a new place to live and the Red Cross can help them with first month’s rent as needed.


The American Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

Help people affected by disasters, like this fire, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache County Office/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000, Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580. Visit www.utahredcross.org and click “Across Utah.”

Help the Red Cross beat a record!

The World’s Largest Swim Lesson™!

Underway around the world, across the country and here in Utah at the Clearfield Aquatic Center on June 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

The American Red Cross partners with the Clearfield Aquatic Center to offer The World’s Largest Swim Lesson™ in Clearfield on June 3rd at 8:00 a.m. Simultaneously, around the world, across the country and here in Utah, American Red Cross certified water safety instructors will offer a special beginner swimming course for kids and adults age 3 and up. The Clearfield Aquatic Center is located at 825 S. State Street. Swimmers need to register, to sign up call the aquatic center at 801-525-2641. The class is open to the public and free of charge. Learn to swim and be a part of the effort to break a world record.

Red Cross Volunteer Lourdes Mariscal from Utah Helps Displaced Individuals in Memphis Area Shelter

Orem, UTAH (Thursday, May 12, 2010) -- Lourdes Mariscal of Orem, Utah is working long hours in a shelter in a Memphis, Tennessee suburb. She is helping those displaced by the flooding after the recent devastating spring storms that have turned the South upside down. She is one of six Red Cross disaster relief volunteers from Utah who have been deployed to help in the South.

Lourdes shared, “This one woman was curled up on her cot, just so distressed. She is displaced from her home due to the flooding. She said she had so many problems she just didn’t want to live. She had some medical issues as well and didn’t feel well. My heart went out to her and I was so concerned for her at the shelter. I made an effort to help her and even was able to joke around with her a bit. I noticed the other people in the shelter were concerned for her also, and everyone just pulled together and made an effort to help her out and support her. Not just the Red Cross volunteers, but other people who are here as clients because they have been displaced by the floods. By the next day, this woman regained her strength and was actually smiling and helping out in the shelter kitchen. This will be one of the people I will remember the most from this experience.”

Lourdes said she encourages more people to volunteer to help on disasters, “People out there who are unemployed right now could become Red Cross trained volunteers and help on disasters like this. It would give them something to do while they are unemployed. In turn, it would be so good for them. Volunteering in a disaster is so rewarding and enriching. I would stay here longer if I didn’t need to get back to work.” Lourdes is scheduled to return to Utah from her two week deployment on the 19th. She wants to share her Red Cross story with as many people as possible, “Many of the people we are helping here have no idea that the Red Cross is not a government funded agency and that we offer disaster relief services only thanks to donations from the public and work done by volunteers. I’m telling everyone I come into contact with to support the Red Cross, to make donations and become a volunteer.”

Lourdes is at one of 59 shelters open right now and she is one of 3,154 Red Cross disaster workers on the ground as recovery continues across the Mississippi Valley and the Southeast from strong storms that began late April and continued through early May 2010. The storm system produced record rainfall, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and widespread flooding that resulted in extensive damage in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Rivers and streams in western Tennessee will remain near or above flood stage for the next few days.

How You Can Help

Help individuals affected by disasters by donating to the national Disaster Relief Fund. Donate at www.redcross.org call 1-800-REDCROSS or text “RedCross” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be deducted from your next mobile phone bill. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435) 752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter (801) 323-7000. Visit www.utahredcross.org click on “Across Utah.”

Red Cross Launches Relief Efforts for Oklahoma Tornado

Salt Lake City, Utah (Tuesday, May 11, 2010) — From the plains of the Midwest to the deep south, the American Red Cross is providing a safe place to stay and relief supplies for thousands of people displaced by tornadoes and floods. Even as relief operations continue full force in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama, the Red Cross has opened shelters in Oklahoma after last night’s tornadoes.

“These storms have left thousands across the country without homes; without any belongings,” said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President for Red Cross Disaster Services. “Our disaster teams are in the Midwest and across the South, and will be there for as long as it takes to help people get back on their feet.”

Forecasters predict another round of severe weather may hit Oklahoma today, less than 24 hours after yesterday’s multiple tornadoes destroyed homes and businesses, left thousands without power, and forced road closures due to overturned vehicles and structure damage. Red Cross workers are providing a safe place to stay, food, toiletries and clean-up items.

Meanwhile, people down south are still tossing furniture and appliances into the street, ripping up flooring and tearing out walls as they work on their homes after last week’s flooding and tornadoes. More than 1,100 Red Cross workers from 37 different states have shelters open, are providing meals, and distributing various clean-up items and basic necessities such as toiletries. To date, the Red Cross has served approximately 190,000 meals and snacks, and distributed more than 24,000 clean-up and comfort kits. Four of the disaster trained Red Cross volunteers are from Utah. They deployed last week.

There are three ways that people can make a donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Visit redcross.org to donate online, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Help people affected by disasters like the recent floods and tornadoes by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.

For more info www.utahredcross.org

For the news release from May 5th detailing the Utahns deployed – click here

Clean up efforts still underway in the South and the Midwest prepares for storms

The American Red Cross continues to help Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas after the recent flooding and tornadoes with clean up efforts, mental health counseling, shelter and food. The Red Cross has already served more than 192,000 meals and snacks across the five states. More than 60 mobile response vehicles are in the affected areas, delivering food and clean-up items throughout the damaged neighborhoods.

Hundreds of people are still in Red Cross shelters, seeking food and a safe place to stay. If someone needs information about Red Cross shelters, they can visit redcross.org and click on the “Find a Shelter” link.

The American Red Cross is on the alert as people in the Midwest prepare for the possibility of severe storms and tornadoes today, while continuing to help with clean-up efforts across those southern states inundated with flood waters last week.
The National Weather Service expects severe thunderstorms with the possibility of a few strong tornadoes in parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma today. The Red Cross offers the following steps people can take to stay safe during these storms:

Thunderstorms:
Before a thunderstorm, pick a safe place in your home for family members to gather, away from windows, skylights, and glass.
Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
Protect your animals by ensuring that any outside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as your home.
Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.

Tornadoes:
Know your community's warning system. Communities have different ways of warning residents about tornados, with many having sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes.
Pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado. This should be a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.
Watch for tornado danger signs – dark clouds, a wall cloud, cloud of debris, large hail, a funnel cloud, or roaring noise.
If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, 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. Now you have the following options as a last resort:
Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.
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.


If you would like to help, there are three ways that people can make a donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Visit redcross.org to donate online, call
1-800-REDCROSS, or make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Meet our Youth Services Coordinator: AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, Kara Taggart

Working with youth is not always easy, but Kara Taggart has a knack for teaching, and mentoring the youth volunteers at the Red Cross. Kara is a Be Ready Utah AmeriCorps VISTA member placed at the Red Cross as the Statewide Youth Programs Coordinator. With a focus on youth development and engaging young volunteers to help serve the mission of the Red Cross, Kara has a lot on her plate.

Her background in volunteering with youth began when she became a volunteer mentor and counselor for a young adult youth group and a substitute teacher for students in K-12 grades. Upon graduating from the University of Utah in 2008 she stumbled upon the VISTA position at the Red Cross. Not knowing what VISTA was, she did her research, applied, and was accepted as the youth coordinator.

Kara understands the need for youth to get involved in volunteering. “The earlier you get them involved with volunteering, the more likely they are to volunteer in the future, and kids are eager for it,” Kara said; and they certainly are.

In the past nine months Kara has started the Babysitting Boot Camp program and has put on three successful camps. At camp, youth are certified in Babysitting, Child/Infant CPR, Standard First Aid, and Dog & Cat First Aid. Kara also spends time in the community, at schools, churches, and scout troop meetings, teaching kids about preparedness and giving them the confidence they need to respond to emergencies. She works with Washington Elementary and Bryant Middle School teaching CPR/First Aid Classes to the students. Recently she helped the students at Washington Elementary update their 72-hour Kits. Kara has also helped three Eagle Scouts receive their Eagle awards, passed out Spanish language preparedness information to schools, and helped stock comfort kits for those affected by disasters here in Utah. One of Kara’s biggest projects is to organize a Youth Leadership Development Camp that will take place this June for youth to achieve confidence as leaders in their community.

Kara recognizes the amazing passion and excitement for service that the youth have. “There is a big difference working with youth than with adults, their eyes are just on fire,” Kara said, “The fire for service in the eyes of the youth can only be ignited by engaging them, pushing them, and giving them the confidence that they need.” Kara’s caring nature serves her well working with youth on the wide variety of Red Cross projects.

Fire Safety Tips

In the wake of the tragic fatal fire in West Valley City, your local American Red Cross encourages all Utah families to review basic fire prevention and fire safety tips. It is so important to be teach kids to get out of the house when there is a fire.

Contact your local Red Cross Chapter if your group would like the Red Cross to share a presentation on fire safety or other preparedness topics.

Make your home fire-safe
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
•If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarm inside sleeping areas too.
•Use the test button today. Check your alarm. Is it working? Replace all batteries at least once a year.
•Have one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from your fire department in how to use them.
•Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Plan Escape Routes
•Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
•Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on second or third floors. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
•Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
•Practice your escape plan at least twice per year.

Escape Safely
•Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or a mobile phone.
•If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
•If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door first before opening it, if it is warm, use your second way out.
•If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed, and signal for help using a bright colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

Click here for more FREE safety tips

Red Cross Offers Assistance to West Valley Family after Fatal Fire Kills Young Child

Salt Lake City, Utah (Thursday, May 06, 2010) The American Red Cross remains in communication with the family affected by the fatal fire in West Valley City yesterday evening and has offered help with trauma counseling if desired. The family has a place to stay and the Red Cross assisted them with expenses for food. If the family realizes they need additional support with shelter, clothing or other immediate essential needs in the coming days, the Red Cross will be able to provide those services to them.

Disaster Action Team volunteer Kelly Hess worked with the family last night and said, "They are understandably shaken by the loss of their young child. They have a strong network of friends and family caring for them and helping them. Right now, they are dealing with a tragic loss. We'll be here for them and follow up to ensure their immediate essential needs are met. If they need additional support today we will be able to help them."


About the American Red Cross, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org.

Help from Utah is on the way!

Volunteer Lourdes Mariscal




Volunteer Heather Stoddard







Four local Red Cross Volunteers Deploy to Help in Devastating Disasters

Salt Lake City, UTAH (Wednesday, May 05, 2010) — While so many of us are watching the devastation due to tornadoes and flooding in the South on the national news this week, a few Utahns are en route to help the thousands displaced from the comfort of their homes. One Red Cross disaster-trained volunteer from the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter, two from the Mountain Valley Chapter based in Provo and one from the Northern Utah Chapter based in Ogden have been deployed to help with disaster relief efforts including sheltering, feeding and clothing those people affected in the disaster zones.

Disaster Volunteer Heather Stoddard (see photo) is flying to Nashville this afternoon. This is her very first national deployment with the Red Cross. She is a nurse and will be helping with health services and sheltering for the people affected by the flooding there. Heather said, “I’m excited to deploy. I’ve volunteered with the Red Cross since about 1992 and have done everything from teaching First Aid and CPR courses to helping people affected by local disasters like apartment fires with some comfort and care when they need it most.” One volunteer from Northern Utah, Laurita Smith, is a communications National Reserve Member. She left yesterday for Tennessee. She will be working with the Emergency Communications Response Vehicles (ECRV) that are deployed in the areas of mass power outages. From the Provo area, disaster-trained volunteers Lourdes Mariscal and Chris Doty will be flying from Salt Lake City to Tennessee this afternoon. The American Red Cross has opened more than two dozen shelters in response to the powerful weather system that generated tornadoes and caused severe flooding across the South.

How You Can Help: People can send a $10 donation to help those affected by disasters across the country by texting the word ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999. The donation will appear on your next mobile phone bill.

About the American Red Cross Utah Region: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache County Office/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000, Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580. Visit www.utahredcross.org and click “Across Utah.”

American Red Cross Responds to Southern Floods

The Red Cross is busy helping many displaced families across the country right now.

High winds, tornadoes, and more than a foot of rain caused flooding, widespread infrastructure damage, road closures, and power outages across multiple southern states this weekend.

At least 14 deaths have been reported thus far: 9 due to flooding and 5 due to tornadoes. Two significant tornado episodes occurred over the weekend. One was on Friday evening in central Arkansas, with at least 6 tornadoes and 1 death and the second episode in northern Mississippi/southwest Tennessee early Sunday with at least 1 potentially long-track supercell tornado resulting in 4 deaths. Extremely heavy rainfall and historic flooding occurred across Tennessee resulting in 6 deaths due to flash flooding. Five flooding deaths were reported in Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday, 3 in Kentucky, and one death in Arkansas on Friday.

People can send a $10 donation to help those affected by disasters across the country by texting ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999

A Celebration of Local Heroes

A Celebration of Local Heroes

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

“It took a few tries but he finally pried open the car door and pulled the submerged 2-year old out from the mud.”


Ogden, UTAH (Saturday, May 1, 2010) -- The American Red Cross of Northern Utah will honor local heroes on May 11, 2010. Heroes include local individuals who have done something extraordinary, perhaps saved a life or made our community a better place to live. Each year, the Red Cross Chapter recognizes these local heroes for their outstanding contributions at the annual Heroes event.


One of the heroes honored this year is 19-year old Todd Kanno of Box Elder County. He came to the rescue when a car was upside down in a drainage ditch along I-15 near Willard Bay on September 22. A toddler was in grave danger in the back seat. Stephanie Christiansen of the Red Cross said, “It took a few tries but he finally pried open the car door and pulled the submerged 2-year old out to safety. He then cleared her mouth and performed CPR. The little girl is fine now, and just recently celebrated her third birthday.”


The American Red Cross is proud to honor heroes like Todd. There will be nine hero award recipients at the upcoming event in Ogden. Other heroes include John A & Telitha E Lindquist and Tom & Nancy Davidson for their lifetimes of commitment to the American Red Cross.

The event will take place at 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on May 11, 2010 at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center. Don't miss this heart-warming and inspirational event. Ticket information can be found on online at www.redcrossutah.org or call 801-627-0000. Sponsors are welcome, please call for details.