Press Release: Red Cross Offers Clean Up Kits to Residents Affected by Flooding

March 31, 2010

Red Cross Offers Clean Up Kits to Residents Affected by Flooding

FARMINGTON, CONN., March 31, 2010 – The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter will make clean up kits available to families affected by flooding in southeastern Connecticut. The kits will be available at the Chapter’s Waterford office, at 200 Boston Post Road between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday or until the Chapter’s supply is exhausted. People in need of the kits should call the office at (860) 447-3249 to confirm availability of the kits.

“We will make the kits available on a first-come, first-served basis,” said Sue Rochester Bolen, Senior Director, Emergency Services, for the Connecticut Chapter. “The kits can be helpful in beginning to clean spaces that have been affected by flooding.”

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Disaster Alert: Hazardous Material in Louisiana

March 31, 2010

Disaster Alert

Louisiana – A large chemical fire resulted in evacuations in Denham Springs yesterday. There were no reports of injuries. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

At the request of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter opened a shelter and provided mass care. There were 39 overnight residents.


Disaster Alert: Flooding in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine

March 31, 2010

Disaster Alert

Record setting rain has closed roads and prompted evacuations, and officials are warning of more problems ahead as rivers continue to rise. Massachusetts and New Hampshire remain under a state of emergency.

The Massachusetts Bay Chapter opened two shelters and the Central Massachusetts Chapter opened one shelter with one overnight resident. DR number 343-10 was issued for this incident.

The NH Gateway chapter opened one shelter but had no overnight residents.

Chapters are in communication with their State Emergency Operations Center.


Press Release: Red Cross Provides Comfort for Storm Victims

March 30, 2010

Red Cross Provides Comfort for Storm Victims

High Point-Thomasville Chapter
[815 Phillips Avenue
High Point, NC 27262
hpt.redcross.org

TRIAD, March 30, 2010 – Your Red Cross remains on the scene throughout High Point and Davidson County providing food, shelter and counseling to those affected by the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes. We are coordinating with local emergency officials and our community partners to best serve those in need.

An emergency shelter is open at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 279 Eastchester Drive in High Point, to help residents impacted by the storm by offering a safe place to stay, a hot meal, minor first aid, and a shoulder to lean on. Last night, we sheltered 5 individuals affected by the storms. As a result of damage assessment and best serving our client’s needs, this shelter will close at Noon, Wednesday, March 31.

Red Cross volunteers have completed damage assessment in these impacted areas. Caseworkers will meet with families at the shelter and at the High Point-Thomasville Chapter, located at 815 Phillips Avenue starting at 1pm today.

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Disaster Alert: Flooding in Rhode Island and Connecticut

March 30, 2010

Disaster Alert

Rhode Island/Connecticut – Heavy rainfall caused river flooding that affected the residents of several counties throughout the two states on Monday.

The Rhode Island Chapter deployed a Disaster Action Team (DAT), opened two shelters, dispatched an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), and provided Mass Care (MC) and bulk distribution to the affected-area residents.

The Connecticut Chapter deployed DAT, opened a shelter for local residents, placed another on stand-by and communicated with State EOC.


Disaster Alert: Severe Weather in South Carolina

March 30, 2010

Disaster Alert

South Carolina – Severe thunderstorms and a tornado caused damage to several homes in Lexington County and left hundreds of residents in Aiken, Florence and Spartanburg Counties without power on Monday.

The Coastal South Carolina Chapter deployed a Disaster Action Team (DAT) and worked with disaster victims to determine emergency needs.


Press Release: American Red Cross Announces Spending Plan for Relief and Recovery in Haiti

March 29, 2010

American Red Cross Announces Spending Plan for Relief and Recovery in Haiti

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2010 – The American Red Cross today announced its long-term recovery plan for spending the rest of the nearly $400 million it has received in Haiti donations.

The announcement comes two days before an international donor’s conference hosted by the United Nations to discuss ways that governments and non-governmental organizations can help rebuild Haiti, which was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.

“The crisis is far from over in Haiti, and the American Red Cross will continue to support the brave and resilient people of this country until the last dollar donated for Haiti is spent,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “It would not have been possible to provide so much help in this extremely difficult situation without the tremendous outpouring of support from the American public.”

To date, the American Red Cross has raised $396 million for the Haiti relief and development efforts. In just 11 weeks, the American Red Cross has already spent or allocated a record $106.4 million, with approximately 52 percent of the funds being used for food, water and relief supplies; 36 percent for shelter; 8 percent have been dedicated for health and family services; and 4 percent for livelihoods through cash grants and loans.

Today’s announcement provided the broad outline of the expected plans of the American Red Cross for spending the remainder of that money over the next three-to-five years to support families and communities recover from this devastating tragedy.

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Fast Facts: New Jersey Floods 2010

March 29, 2010

The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the New Jersey floods:


Press Release: Red Cross Prepares for Additional Flooding in New Jersey

March 29, 2010

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ, March 29, 2010 – The American Red Cross is preparing for potential flooding from heavy rains predicted to fall today and tomorrow. Recent storms caused flooding that affected more than 11,000 homes throughout New Jersey, 3,250 of which received major damage or were destroyed.

During the past two weeks, 530 local and regional Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 85,000 meals and snacks and 4,600 clean-up kits to residents affected by the floods.

Additionally, Red Cross shelters in northern and central New Jersey have housed over 800 individuals and Red Cross emotional care counselors have met with 1,600 residents.

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Story: All It Took Was One Phone Call

March 29, 2010

This story is written by Eric Gordon, Public Affairs Volunteer.

New Jersey Floods 2010
From left to right: Bound Brook Mayor Carey Pilato, Red Cross Staff Paige Roberts and Amy Sutton.

As the Passaic River swelled on March 13, 2010, it became apparent that several local residents would need to be evacuated from their homes. Almost instantaneously, Bound Brook’s Mayor, Office of Emergency Management, Fire and Police Departments worked together to undergo a seven-hour evacuation operation that rescued 327 residents from their flooded homes. According to Jim Suk, manager of the Bound Brook OEM, “All departments – the EMS, police and fire worked extremely well together. Overall, the coordination for rescues was excellent.”

During the evacuation process, first responders waded through the floodwater in order to transport local residents by boat onto waiting buses. The buses then continued to American Red Cross Emergency Shelters in Bound Brook and Raritan. As Mayor Carey Pilato commented, “All it took was one phone call to Amy [Sutton, CEO of the Greater Somerset County Chapter of the American Red Cross]. Everything started into motion immediately – the Red Cross’s planning was exquisite.”

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