Red Cross Clean-Up Kits Aid Flood Victims
As rivers crest and temperatures warm, the American Red Cross and its partners in disaster relief continue to assist residents along flooded rivers in Florida and Georgia.
“Our focus is providing shelter, meals, and relief supplies to help people when disasters strike,” said Carrie McCabe, director of the two-state relief operation. “The Red Cross helps people with their emergency needs caused by a disaster – needs that must first be met in order for an individual to begin to recover.”
Most of the eleven Red Cross shelters previously open have returned to standby status, ready to reopen if needed. Nearly 250 disaster relief workers have provided more than 2,300 meals, 8,600 snacks, and distributed hundreds of relief items to residents. As areas become accessible, the Red Cross will be there to help residents recover.
The Red Cross is establishing distribution sites through the weekend where items such as clean-up kits and bleach are available for pick up. Between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, residents with flood damage to their homes may visit the following locations:
- Lee Fire Station, 314 County Rd., Lee, Fla.
- Pinetta Fire Station, 509 NE Persimmon, Pinetta, Fla.
- First Baptist Church, Dowling Park, Fla. (Corner of Church Rd. and County Rd. 250)
- Branford Fire Station, Station 63, 678 Suwannee Ave. NW, Branford, Fla.
- Luraville Fire Dept, 180 St., Luraville, Fla.
- Falmouth Fire Station, Station 32, Hwy 90 West, Falmouth, Fla.
In addition to cleaning supplies, the Red Cross has a helpful step-by-step guide, Repairing Your Flooded Home (PDF), to help residents through the recovery and rebuilding process. This guide is also available from local Red Cross chapters.
The Red Cross offers the following safety tips for residents as they return home:
- Return home only after authorities say it is safe to do so.
- Avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
- Wear protective shoes, gloves, long pants, and long sleeve shirts to protect you from sharp edges and other hazards.
- Beware of snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by floodwater.
- Take pictures of the damage to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
- Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to floodwaters and mud, including canned goods, capped bottles and sealed containers. When in doubt, throw it out.
