Suffolk Red Cross

Tornadoes Pass Through

the town of Suffolk, Va.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, Please make checks payable to:

The Suffolk Chapter, American Red Cross Disaster Fund

Then mail your contribution to P.O. Box 129, Suffolk, VA 23439

(EXERP FROM THE DAILY PRESS 4-29-08)

SUFFOLK, Va. - A tornado touched down multiple times in Suffolk on Monday, causing widespread damage and leaving 60 people injured.

The tornado struck just after 4 p.m., damaging a local hospital and wrecking nearby subdivisions and a shopping center.

At least 13 homes were damaged in two downtown subdivisions and in the small town of Driver, police spokeswoman Lt. Debbie George said.

The tornado cut a swath of devastation through Driver, wiping out historic landmarks. Early estimates from National Weather Service teams suggests wind speeds may have exceeded 136 mph.

Judging by the damage to homes and businesses, the storm that tore through Suffolk Monday afternoon could rate as an EF-3 -- characterized by winds of 136 to 165 mph, capable of lifting cars and causing severe damage to well-constructed buildings -- said meteorologist Keith Lynch. Since 1950, Virginia has seen 24 EF-3 tornadoes.

Suffolk Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Judkins described the twister as a "major disaster."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency, directing state agencies to take all necessary action to aid in the response to widespread damage from the severe weather.

Agencies assisting include the Virginia departments of Emergency Management, Marine Resources and Transportation and the Virginia State Police.

The tornado swept trees onto homes, blocked roads and pushed cars on top of one another.

At least 200 people were injured throughout the state, with the Suffolk area and Colonial Heights near Richmond the two areas that were most severely affected.

The Burnetts Mill neighborhood in Suffolk was subject to a mandatory evacuation Monday afternoon just after 5 p.m., after the tornado wrecked homes, caused a gas leak and knocked out power.

Jon Mark Menta, who lives in the neighborhood, said the north side of the subdivision had been hit hardest.

Residents were bused to an American Red Cross run emergency shelter that was set up at King's Fork High School.

CPR Awareness Week

Contact: Lisa Harrell

Phone: (757) 539 - 6645

JUNE 1 - 7, 2008

(Suffolk, VA) The American Red Cross and American Heart Association have joined to applaud federal legislation that would designate the first week in June as "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Week."

This legislation will help Americans save lives at the community level. If you suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, you have a five percent chance of survival. It doesn't have to be that way if we can train more Americans in performing CPR and using AED's we can save more lives.

Approximately 325,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year and more than 95 percent of them die before reaching the hospital. If CPR and defibrillation are not applied within 10 minutes after sudden cardiac arrest, there is virtually no chance of survival. However, in cities where defibrillation is provided within five to seven minutes, the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest is as high as 49 percent.

The Suffolk Chapter, American Red Cross has scheduled CPR/AED training which includes (Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR/AED, and AED essentials) to be held during that week. The cost of the training will be $20.00 per session. (that's less than 1/2 of regular price) pre-paid registration only!

Call (757) 539-6645 to sign up today!

The Suffolk Chapter, American Red Cross has been awarded a grant by the Obici HealthCare Foundation to assist in placing 50 Automated External Defibrillators in various facilities throughout the communities of Suffolk. This program referred to as LifeLine757 through the grant enhances our vision to support the effort to promote AED awareness, training, and making Suffolk, VA a heart safe community for citizens and visitors alike.