ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - As people around Southwest Virginia make final preparations around their homes for potential heavy rainfall, strong winds, potential flooding and power outages, the American Red Cross says there are several key tips people should keep in mind.
Lee Clark with the American Red Cross in the Roanoke Region says it's important to have a plan.
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There are three things that tops his "need-to-know" storm preparation list.
- Clark says the most important item to stock up on is water. He says there should be enough water to last a family for three days during a storm.
- The second most important item to think about is medication. Clark says this is especially true for residents who rely on "mail order" prescriptions. He says sometimes those shipments can be delayed due to the storm, and it's important that people do not let their supply run low.
- The American Red Cross stresses the importance of making a hard copy of important phone numbers. Clark says in case of a power outage, many may not be able to charge their phones.
"A lot of us really rely on our cell phones for all of our contacts so have a hard copy of all of those numbers so you can be sure to have no matter what so they are ready to go," Clark said.
In addition to those top three tips, there are others to keep in mind. Clark says it's important for families to have evacuation plans that all adults and children in the home understand. This includes mapping out all exits in the home, as well as a place to meet up in case the family is split.
While many may remember stocking up on candles when they were young before the potential of a power outage, the American Red Cross actually discourages using candles or other sources that involve flame.
Clark says this is due to the potential fire hazard candles bring to homeowners. Often candles can be overlooked and not blown out before falling asleep.
For more safety tips and suggestions from the Red Cross on what should go in a safety kit visit their website.