— from Laura Jo Severson —
I copied these from the American Red Cross website section about their Safe and Well program to help people connect with those in a disaster area.
- Be creative, and be persistent. If one contact method doesn’t work, try another. Don’t give up!
- Call during off-peak hours for the best chance of getting through.
- Send a text message, which may go through when phone calls cannot.
- Check your loved one’s social media pages (i.e., Facebook, Twitter), as they may have already gone online to tell their story.
- Send an email.
- Call friends and relatives who may have already been in contact with your loved one.
- Call people and places where your loved one is well-known: neighbors, employer, school, place of worship, senior center, social club, union, or fraternal organization.
- Try sending a letter. Your loved one’s mail may be getting forwarded to his or her new location.
Note: If your loved one has a serious, pre-existing health or mental health condition, you may also initiate an Emergency Information Request by calling your local American Red Cross Chapter » or 1-800-RED-CROSS.
