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Home > Disaster Services
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Antelope Valley Disaster History and Red Cross Support
The population centers in the Chapter include three cities of about 120,000 population each, and 15 small communities with populations ranging from approximately 100 to 20,000. The majority of disasters supported by the Antelope Valley Chapter have been single dwelling fires.
Brush fires occur in the desert and the mountains annually. The strictly enforced brush clearance and landscaping codes have minimized the number of structures that are damaged or destroyed by these fires. The evacuation of communities near the fire is an inconvenience and usually lasts for about 8 hours. The chapter opens a shelter about once every 5 years for major fires. The purpose of these shelters is to provide information and food until the fire is controlled. The typical number of shelterees at these fire shelters ranges from 10 to 50.
About once every 5 years flooding occurs along the streams coming from the face of the San Gabriel or Sierra Nevada Mountains causing transportation disruptions, but very little structural flood damage. Inappropriate diking and sandbagging by landowners tends to cause localized areas were the flood waters back up and cause carpets to get wet. no structure have been damaged beyond repair in several decades.
About once every 5 years unexpected snowfall in the higher mountain passes causes the highway Patrol and CAL TRANS to close the highways until they can get the roads plowed and sanded. This major highway closure generally lasts about 8 hours but often occurs at night, requiring the Chapter to shelter and feed several hundred stranded motorists both in Palmdale and in Mojave. the most frequently closed highways are State Highway 14 from Palmdale to Los Angeles across the San Gabriel Mountains, and State Highway 58 from Mojave to Bakersfield across the Tehachapi Mountains.
| Antelope Valley Chapter Red Cross Proclaims "Storm of Readiness". . .
focusing on single family fire prevention.
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Did you know . . .
- Fires are the leading cause of death in the U.S. in terms of disaster.
- Recent polls indicate Americans are more afraid of fire than any other disaster.
- In those same polls, those surveyed believed fire is the number one disaster a family can, through planning, prevent regardless of where they live.
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How to do it . . .
- Search for fire hazards outside and within the home.
- Have smoke detectors and know how to use fire extinguishers.
- Establish escape plans.
- Be CPR and First Aid trained.
- Pick up a detailed brochure on fire prevention at the m
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Local Disaster Plans and News
 Real time local earthquake information from the USGS Web Site
- California Seismic Safety Commission earthquake preparedness information
- What to do Before, During and After an Earthquake Brochure
- Earthquake: Duck, Cover and Hold Drill
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Emergency Supplies Checklist
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Preparing your Family for an Earthquake
What is DSHR?
It is Disaster Service Human Resources. Its primary purpose is to support the effort of Red Cross units in disaster affected areas by having trained, experienced, and readily available persons who can be alerted and moved to disaster sites quickly and efficiently.
Currently under construction:
- Disaster training opportunities and upcoming exercises
- National disaster news
- Online disaster volunteer sign-up form
- Disaster relief fundraising
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