DALLAS, AUGUST 29, 2023 — During National Preparedness Month in September, the American Red Cross North Texas Region urges everyone to prepare for worsening extreme weather affecting the North Texas region, which has experienced flooding this spring in the Panhandle, not to mention extreme heat, wildfires and tornadoes across Texas.

Severe weather like this is part of a worsening national trend in which the American Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.

As rapidly intensifying weather-related events pose serious challenges to its humanitarian work and the people it serves, the Red Cross has announced an ambitious national plan to take urgent action. With more climate-driven disasters upending lives and devastating communities, the organization is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity nationwide while funding new international programs on climate response and preparedness and minimizing its own environmental footprint.

Here in North Texas, this includes recruiting and training more volunteers to respond to the growing number of disasters, building new relationships within communities to strengthen the work already being done by other local organizations, and listening to what individual communities are asking for to build resiliency.

“As the frequency and intensity of severe storms and extreme weather grows, more people need help more often,” said Linda Braddy, CEO of the Red Cross North Texas Region. “We have amazing volunteers who have stepped up to help, but the community needs are outpacing us. Join us by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to support our disaster relief efforts. Utilize our resources to inform yourself and your family on ways to protect against emergencies like heat illness and to prepare for weather-related disasters.”

For National Preparedness Month, take three lifesaving actions — get a kit, make a plan and be informed — to help protect yourself against local emergencies. Follow safety tips now at redcross.org/prepare. You can also deliver relief and care to families facing extreme weather by becoming a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/VolunteerToday. 

MOUNTING U.S. DISASTER RESPONSES There have already been 12 severe storms in Texas in 2023, the most recorded by NOAA. From 1980 to 2010, Texas averaged about one severe storm a year, but that number has steadily climbed. From 1980–2023 (as of August 8, 2023), there have been 166 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Texas. These events included 18 drought events, nine flooding events, one freeze event, 107 severe storm events, 14 tropical cyclone events, seven wildfire events, and ten winter storm events. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 6,887 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980–2022 annual average is 3.6 events (CPI-adjusted); the yearly average of the most recent five years (2018–2022) is 9.0 events (CPI-adjusted).

ADAPTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS As extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross in the U.S. Nationwide, the organization is taking bold and thoughtful actions to adapt its services and grow its capacity by:
 

• Enhancing large-scale disaster response services by bolstering the aid provided in emergency shelters and extending casework support to help people with the most recovery needs.
• Expanding financial assistance to help more families with unmet needs and bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery assistance.
• Strengthening local partner networks in targeted areas that face a high risk of extreme weather and existing societal inequities with a focus on increased access to health and mental health services, nutritious food and safe housing for local families.
• Growing its disaster workforce —90% trained volunteers — to deepen its disaster readiness. This includes fortifying the critical infrastructure and technology that enables 24/7 response to disasters across the country.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IMPACTS TO THE NATIONAL BLOOD SUPPLY The Red Cross has seen a significant shortfall in blood and platelet donations over the last month, making it hard to keep pace with the need for blood products. Blood and platelet donations that go uncollected due to climate-related events, such as hurricanes, wildfires and extreme heat, can put further strain on the national blood supply. As extreme weather events are worsening, the Red Cross is seeing that translate into more blood drive cancellations. In 2022, over 1,300 blood drives were canceled due to weather — about 23% higher than the average of the prior nine years.

In thanks for helping ensure the nation’s blood supply is prepared for all emergencies, from disasters to medical emergencies, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Details are available at rcblood.org/racetogive. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you are unable to give blood, you can volunteer to support blood collections. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.