As Hurricane Irene’s path of destruction lessens, one primary concern has entered the mind of the storm’s victims: loved ones’ safety.
The American Red Cross is offering storm victims an opportunity to stay connected with their loved ones during severe weather through its updated Safe and Well program.
The system allows victims of a disaster to list themselves as “safe and well” on the Red Cross website for family and friends to see. Victims can add personal messages or information concerning their whereabouts. 
Users of the Safe and Well program must know a victim’s full name and either phone number or address before the disaster to see any Red Cross information on that victim’s status, according to Nancy Malone, public affairs representative for the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the Red Cross.
“This is a system that very easily allows you to connect with anyone who’s looking for you in a safe manner,” Malone said.
She said Red Cross wants people to know about the program in advance, before disaster strikes, so users understand the personal information they put online is safe and secure.
“It’s one of those things most people wouldn’t think about until they’re actually in a disaster,” Malone said.
Red Cross’s Safe and Well program now includes Facebook and Twitter components for users. After signing up for the program, users are prompted with the option to post or tweet about their well-being.
University students had a taste of Safe and Well on Aug. 9 during a disaster exercise in Herget Hall, where Red Cross volunteers allowed mock victims to register for the program.
Kelsey Jenkins, anthropology freshman, explained that while the program seems helpful, “it would probably take a lot of settling in before we used