Red Cross Tips for Contacting Loved Ones in Disaster Areas

— 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.