Hurricane Dean Threatens Mexican Coast

To: TRAVEL EDITORS

Contact: American Red Cross Public Affairs Desk, +1-202-303-5551

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hurricane Deancontinues to track southward toward the Mexican coast. While thislessens the threat to Texas and Louisiana, many others now worry forthe safety of their friends and families vacationing in the popularMexican resort areas of Cancun and Cozumel.

The American Red Cross asks everyone to take three steps to Be RedCross Ready -- get a kit, make a plan and be informed. For thosepeople seeking to evacuate the Mexican coast, this means payingattention to the instructions of the local authorities, monitoringthe storm and securing transportation to a safe destination. As aconcerned family member, you can also help.

As people evacuate from resort areas, the Red Cross encouragesfamilies back home to list the status of their loved ones on the Safeand Well site. By listing your loved one on the Safe and Well Website, you can actually participate in the disaster relief effort andhelp to reassure other friends and family that your traveler is safe.

The Red Cross Safe and Well site is a tool that allows families tostay in touch immediately following a disaster. People who mustevacuate the area can go online to http://www.redcross.org, listthemselves and their family on the Safe and Well site and select apre-scripted message that indicates their plans. Examples of messagesinclude: "I am safe and well...," "Currently at shelter." and "Willmake phone calls when able." Loved ones who read these messages willgain peace of mind knowing that their families are out of harm's way.Family members can also register their loved ones on the site.

The Red Cross encourages everyone to take advantage of thisimportant service. Call your family members as they await evacuation,and offer to list them on Safe and Well. Immediately following adisaster, just the short message left on this site can be enough togive your friends and family peace of mind.

To register a family member on Safe and Well, visit http://www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS for assistance from a RedCross agent.

For more information on general disaster preparedness, pleasevisit http://www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possibleby voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the countryeach year by making a financial gift to the American Red CrossDisaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter,food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. TheAmerican Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate yourdonation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of yourdonation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your localAmerican Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure onlinecontribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross