Made in the 1940s or early 50s, “Disaster Strikes” showcases the capabilities of the American Red Cross during times of regional and national disaster. The film looks at a wide variety of natural disasters including Gulf Coast hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and forest fires as well as earthquakes, and also contains footage of man-made disasters such as train wrecks, airplane accidents, and more. At 2:25, the film shows the organization of the American Red Cross including the national HQ at Washington, D.C. where a vast communications network alerts the Red Cross command structure. At 2:45, teletype machines are seen. At 3:00, a decision-making team is seen including Red Cross personnel and military and government members. At 3:18, a telephone switchboard is seen with many female operators connecting every county in the USA.
At 4:46, an evacuation in the path of a major storm is shown with livestock and personal belongings evacuated. At 5:10, the storm hits with great fury. At 6:00, an earthquake aftermath is shown. At 7:09, a forest fire. At 7:45, the SS Morro Castle is seen on fire off Asbury Park, New Jersey, and survivors are seen being brought to shore for medical care. At 8:14, a horrific series of railroad accidents are seen. At 8:25, the scene of a Northern Pacific Railroad accident, a deceased person is seen pinned inside a railroad car, and workers try to extricate the deceased. At 8:40, a plane crash is seen. At 9:00, a mining accident aftermath is seen in coal country. At 10:10, massive flooding is seen. The film then shows the Red Cross response, with Red Cross disaster preparedness and relief committees hard at work putting up shelters, feeding survivors, and sharing information with anxious relatives via telegram. At 14:40, a committee is seen reviewing various cases and doling out funds in support of the community.At 15:56, a young girl is shown in a wheelchair recovering from injury, and at 16:00 an African American woman and child receive medical aid. At 16:18, the “sweep of disaster” goes on, with various disasters shown. But the Red Cross will be there.
