Red Cross urges eclipse emergency kits for home, car

The American Red Cross is urging community members who live in, near or plan to travel into the path of totality during the eclipse to stock up on emergency preparedness supplies now. Specifically, the Red Cross is recommending assembling an emergency preparedness kit for your car and your home.

With one million visitors expected to come to Oregon to view the eclipse on August 21, travelers could be stuck in traffic for hours and people who live in the path of totality may face a supply shortage with the influx of people. It is essential to have emergency supplies on hand and ready now, days ahead of the eclipse event.

The Red Cross recommends having the following items in your car:

Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas
Bottled water — one gallon, per person, per day. Use heavy plastic bottles made for water storage.
Non-perishable food items (power bars, canned food, a manual can opener)
A flashlight
A battery-powered radio
A first aid kit
Daily vital medications
Supplies for an infant or children if applicable
A multi-purpose tool
Personal hygiene items including toilet paper
Cell phone chargers
Extra cash in small denominations ($1 or $5)
Comfort items like toys, games, coloring books for kids, etc. to pass the time if there are delays
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Maps of the area (printed copies)
Jumper cables
Emergency contact information written out on a card to keep in your wallet

The Red Cross recommends having the following items at home:
Water — one gallon, per person, per day for a minimum of three days
The supplies included in your car kit in greater quantities (for a minimum of three days):
Supplies for your pets if applicable

*View a full Red Cross kit list here: www.redcross.org/PrepareGuide .

How the Red Cross is preparing:
The Red Cross is coordinating with local emergency agencies along the eclipse viewing path to ensure collective preparedness for any contingency. This planning is a standard part of our regular collaborations with local emergency management officials with regard to large-scale, public events. If requested by local authorities, the Red Cross is prepared to shelter and feed those who might be displaced by disasters, residential fires, wildfires, or other events.

As part of normal Red Cross readiness posture, supplies such as cots, blankets and water are already pre-positioned across this area and the country. In addition, more volunteers and resources are on standby in case they are needed. Cellular service could be impacted by the large number of people visiting the region. If networks go down, the Red Cross will use ham radio or top-priority emergency cell channels to communicate.

About the American Red Cross
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 redcross.org/Cascades or find us on Facebook at RedCrossCascades, Twitter at @RedCrossCasc and find us on Instagram at @RedCrossCascades.