Bertie and Hertford County Residents: Disaster Preparedness: AARP, American Red Cross and FEMA Want You to Be Ready

AHOSKIE, NC -- Because of the area’s elevated risk of hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters, AARP, FEMA and the American Red Cross want you to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Older adults are particularly hit hard in the wake of disasters. That's why residents of Bertie and Hertford Counties are contributing generously to an effort by the American Red Cross to provide emergency comfort kits to those in need.

Being prepared for disasters is a shared responsibility. It takes the whole community working together to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from the destructive forces of nature and other emergencies and disasters.

On October 17, receive the latest information about disaster preparedness, building effective emergency kits, and making family evacuation and safety plans when AARP and the American Red Cross provide information at the Ahsokie Wall Mart parking lot, 2150 U.S. 13 South, from 10-3pm. Donate at least $5 to the Red Cross for disaster preparedness kits, and receive a free Abrham's BBQ sandwich and soft drink.

Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare and distribute comfort kits other assistance in response to disasters. The comfort kits include toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, shampoo, lotions, razors, and other toiletry items victims of disaster may need.

If you can't make it to Ahoskie on October 17 and you would like to make a donation, you can send your checks to the American Red Cross at:

American Red Cross

Attn: Disaster Kits

1409-B Parkview Dr.

Elizabeth City, NC 27909

All proceeds will be used for locally-stored disaster response kits for disabled and older adults in Bertie and Hertford Counties.

Get your own plan in order with these helpful links:

• Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/
• FEMA:  http://www.ready.gov/

 Helpful Tips:

• Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency.  http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
• Be Informed. http://www.ready.gov/be-informed
• Build a Kit with Food, Water and Emergency Supplies. http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1390858289638-80dd2aee624210b03b4cf5c398fa1bd6/ready_seniors_2014.pdf