Red Cross disaster workers and volunteers are working to provide safe shelter, meals and support to those impacted by severe weather. The potential for life-threatening flooding could impact thousands of people, and the Red Cross is encouraging people to be prepared and take steps to help protect your family.

A Red Cross shelter is now open at the Methodist Temple located at 2109 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.

The following Red Cross and partner shelters are now open in the Indiana Region:

• Methodist Temple, 2109 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714
• Salvation Army, 331 East Main Street, Madison, IN 47250
• Shelby County Fairgrounds, 500 Frank Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176

If you need assistance, please call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Red Cross shelters are open 24 hours a day and we do not require people to show identification. Anyone coming to a Red Cross shelter is encouraged to bring personal items for each member of their family, including prescription and emergency medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items.

Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground, working with state and local official to help people impacted by these storms and at risk for flooding. Shelters are open and more Red Crossers are standing by should there be a need to expand the response.

GET READY NOW The Red Cross urges people to take steps now to protect you and your loved ones safe and to be weather aware this weekend. You and members of your household should have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely at home. Your evacuation plan should include knowing where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and where you’ll stay. Your stay-at-home plan should focus on gathering supplies so you can live safely without power, water, gas, phone or internet for a long time.  

During a flood, be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise.

• Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe.
• Don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Turn around, don’t drown!
• Stay off the roads. If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over, and 12 inches can carry your car away.
• Follow evacuation routes and don’t try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising around you, quickly get out of the car, move to higher ground and stay there.

If a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado, go to your safe place immediately.

• A WATCH means be prepared as tornadoes are possible and you should be ready to act fast. A WARNING means take action now as a tornado is near and you need to move to a safe location right away
• After getting to your safe shelter, use your arms to protect your head and neck. Keep listening to radio, TV or other news sources. Stay in your shelter until the tornado warning ends.
• If the building you are in has been damaged, exit with extreme care and stay out. Look around for things that might fall or are dangerous.
• Do not use matches or lighters inside. If you smell gas or see spills that could be flammable, leave immediately.
• If you are trapped, try to cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting.

If thunder roars, go indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if the forecast calls for thunderstorms. Watch for storm signs, such as darkening skies, lightning flashes and increasing wind action.

• Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and move to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass windows and doors.
• Lightning can be dangerous even when you are inside. Avoid using devices connected to electrical outlets. Avoid running water as lightning can travel through plumbing and water lines.
• No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are nearby. Sheds, gazebos, dugouts and bleachers don’t protect from lightning or high winds. Avoid taking shelter under a tree as they are often hit by lightning, and you could be injured.
• Being in a vehicle is safer than being outside; however, if you have time, drive to the closest sturdy building, and take shelter inside. If you are driving and can’t get to a sturdy building, pull off the road and park in a place where falling trees and power lines won’t hit you. 

RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app, so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its five chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @indianaredcross. LinkedIn: American Red Cross of Indiana.