Red Cross News

US Offers Hurricane Assistance to Cubans Amid Blackouts

MIAMI (AP) — The United States said Tuesday it has offered critical emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, an unusual but not unprecedented move after years of bilateral tensions. …

Strong Quake Kills 5, Injures Dozens in Northern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A strong earthquake set off landslides and damaged buildings in the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. In the capital, hospital patients were evacuated and terrified people rushed outdoors. The …

4 Now Confirmed Dead in Massachusetts Apartment Building

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The number of people who died in a fire at a Massachusetts apartment building last weekend has climbed to four with the discovery of two more bodies on Monday, fire officials said. The search of the …

Vehicle Malfunction Sparked Southern California Wildfire

BANNING, Calif. — A wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles that has forced thousands of people from their homes was sparked by a malfunctioning diesel vehicle, fire officials said Monday. The vehicle spewed burning carbon from its exhaust system, …

Weekend Wildfires Break Out in Utah, Nevada and Arizona

Wildfires prompted evacuations in Utah, Nevada and Arizona over the weekend. Fireworks caused a wildfire in Utah that forced out residents of houses and an apartment building early Sunday as the flames encroached on a residential area, officials said. A …

How to Plan for a Disaster During a Disaster

On March 5, Tennessee governor Bill Lee announced the state’s first confirmed case of Covid-19. Three weeks later on Easter Sunday, tornadoes touched down outside of Chattanooga, killing four people and flattening 2,000 structures. Since the start of the pandemic, …

No Hugs Or Handshakes: Pandemic Complicates Storm Relief

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For people who lost homes to the deadly tornadoes that rampaged across the South, there are no comforting hugs from volunteers or handshakes from politicians. For homeless families, there are no Red Cross shelters, only hotel rooms. …

Already Braced for Covid-19, Towns Watch the Rising Mississippi With Fear

From her home window, Belinda Constant, mayor of Gretna, Louisiana, watches the mighty Mississippi flow by. Beyond it are the sparkling lights of New Orleans. She views both warily these days. New Orleans is a hot spot for Covid-19, and …

Red Cross: Smoke Alarm Program Reaches Life-Saving Milestone

ROCK SPRING, Ga. — The American Red Cross of Georgia is celebrating the most lives saved in a single month from its ongoing effort to install free smoke alarms. The agency plans a Thursday ceremony in Rock Spring, Georgia, to …

Massachusetts Fire Lieutenant Dies Battling House Fire

WORCESTER, Mass. — A Massachusetts fire lieutenant scheduled to leave on a Disney vacation with his family after his shift ended died early Wednesday while investigating a report of a trapped baby in a burning home, his chief said. Lt. …