Thursday, June 28, 2012 — The American Red Cross is helping hundreds of people across the country as wildfires continue to burn in the West and floodwaters from Tropical Depression Debby remain high in Florida.
Western Wildfires
Thirteen Red Cross shelters were open Wednesday night in Colorado, Utah and Montana, and the Red Cross continues to provide shelter, meals and emotional support to evacuated residents.
In Colorado, where six shelters were open, 350 trained Red Cross disaster workers are supporting relief efforts, and additional truckloads of supplies and more response vehicles are en route to support relief efforts.
The Red Cross is also working closely with partner organizations to support our sheltering and feeding efforts in the West, including AmeriCorps NCCC, Medical Reserve Corps, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the Salvation Army.
Relief efforts in Colorado have been extensive. Since June 9, the Red Cross has:
- Served more than 33,000 meals and snacks;
- Provided 3,600 health and mental health contacts; and
- Handed out more than 4,900 relief items.
“Thousands have been impacted by these wildfires, and the Red Cross will be there as long as needed to give people a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on,” said Charley Shimanski, head of Red Cross Disaster Services.
Floods in Florida
Meanwhile, more than 200 Red Cross disaster workers are still on the ground in Florida, where 10 shelters remained open Wednesday night due to heavy flooding from Tropical Depression Debby.
Truckloads of additional relief supplies are on the way to Florida, and 20 response vehicles are currently supporting relief efforts by providing safe shelter, warm meals and distributing relief supplies like flashlights, work gloves, rakes, shovels and tarps.
How You Can Help
Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
How to Find Red Cross Shelters
You can find out where Red Cross shelters are open by going to www.redcross.org or accessing the free Red Cross phone app. Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes. Residents can also monitor local media—radio, newspaper and television—to find out where local shelters are located.
Register on Safe and Well
The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People affected by the fires and flooding can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to be connected with one’s local Red Cross chapter.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
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