Hurricane Dorian is forecast to remain at hurricane strength as it comes along the coast of North Carolina, this week. The American Red Cross is preparing a response effort and urges people in the path of the storm to get ready now.

The Red Cross has many disaster response trained volunteers ready to help in Eastern North Carolina. The Red Cross is pre-positioning trailer loads of sheltering supplies (cots, blankets), ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks, as well as clean-up kits and comfort kits containing personal hygiene items. The organization is also working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners to coordinate preparedness activities and potential response efforts.

This is a dangerous and life-threatening storm forecast to hit the U.S. with intense winds, heavy rain and a powerful storm surge. The Red Cross urges people in the path of this storm to finalize their own preparations now and follow the advice of emergency officials.

BE READY TO EVACUATE – There are 10 steps you can take now to be prepared if the storm makes it unsafe to stay home:

1. The Red Cross urges people in the potential path of Hurricane Dorian to get prepared now. Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channels for the latest updates. Obey evacuation orders from local officials. Prepare to evacuate quickly and know your routes and destinations.

2. Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.

3. If you don’t have a car, or can’t use your vehicle, plan on how you will leave the area.

4. If you have a car, keep the gas tank full if an evacuation order is possible. Don’t let the tank go below half full in case gas stations are unable to pump gas.

5. Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. This could be a motel, the home of a friend or relative a safe distance away, or an evacuation shelter. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to find shelter information and weather and emergency alerts for more than 35 different situations.

6. If you have time, let someone outside of the region know you are evacuating and where you are going. Leave a note saying when you left and where you plan to go.

7. Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing.

8. Be alert for road hazards such as downed trees, flooding, etc. Do not drive onto a flooded road.

9. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones, GPS units and paper.

10. Don’t forget your pets. If it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for them either. Prepare a phone list of pet-friendly motels and animal shelters located along your evacuation route. Keep in mind only service animals are usually allowed in shelters.

HOW TO FIND A SHELTER

• Evacuation shelters are likely to open this week. Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information for open Red Cross shelters in our free Red Cross Emergency App. Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or by going to redcross.org/apps.

• Hurricane evacuation shelters are typically meant to shelter people for less than 24 hours as a hurricane moves through. Often, space is extremely limited, and cots and blankets may not be available for each person. If there is enough lead time or it becomes evident that shelters will stay open after landfall, the Red Cross will move supplies from other areas to ensure people are as comfortable as possible for longer-term shelter stays.

• People who plan to stay in a Red Cross shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Don’t forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.

• Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free. We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and pre-disaster address.

• More information on hurricane safety and preparedness is available here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance. Ensure your donation helps people affected by Hurricane Dorian by choosing that option on redcross.org/donate or 1-800-RED CROSS.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD

The Red Cross currently has an emergency need for blood donations following a summer shortage. While no Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled due to the approaching hurricane at this time, we expect fewer donors will likely come out to donate at drives in and around affected areas due to poor weather conditions. We encourage eligible donors in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. It’s important to remember that it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps during a disaster. We depend on generous volunteer blood donors to provide lifesaving blood for those in need – each and every day – not only during times of disaster. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW

• Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood. Store outside item, such as lawn furniture and trash cans to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.

• Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

• If you have a disaster kit, make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date.

• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a USB flash drive that you can carry with you on your keyring.

• Fill your car’s gas tank in case an evacuation notice is issued.

• Never ride out a severe storm in a mobile home, even if it’s in a non-evacuation zone.

• Bring pets indoors and maintain direct control of them. Prepare an emergency kit for your pets with leashes or carriers, food, water, bowls, cat litter and box, and photos of you with your pet in case you are separated.

• Getting life-saving information about impending hurricanes is easier than ever. Just ask ‘Alexa’. You can activate the Hurricane Alert Skill for popular Amazon Alexa-enabled devices including the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show and Echo Spot. You will then be able to get hurricane watch and warning notices for locations where you or your loved ones live and access Red Cross expertise on how to prepare for the approaching hurricane and keep your family as safe as possible. Learn more here. Amazon, Echo, and Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.