Be prepared for flooding before, during, and after the storm:

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American Red Cross Opens Shelter, Provides Comfort for Flood Victims

Red Cross Provides Tips to Stay Safe

Fargo, ND,  April 12, 2009 – The American Red Cross is on the scene in Valley City, ND to help those affected by the flood. An emergency shelter is open at the Eagles Club, 345 12th Avenue NE, Valley City, to help residents impacted by the flood by offering a safe place to stay, a hot meal, minor first aid, and a shoulder to lean on.

“In the days and weeks to come, the Red Cross will be coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the flood get back on their feet,” said Sherri Thomsen, Regional Executive Director. “The Red Cross will keep shelters open as long as needed, in addition to providing mobile feeding and mental health support to those affected by the flood.”
Be proactive and prepare the following items to take with you should the time come:

• any medicines or other medical supplies needed by members of the family
• feeding formulas for infants or special food for those with specific dietary requirements
• a pillow, blanket or other comfort items for each member of the family
• a change of clothing
• a few non-perishable snacks and water
• flashlights, a battery-powered radio, and extra batteries for both
• books and simple toys for your children
• important documents
• emergency arrangements for your pets

Listen to area radio and television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for evacuation announcements that apply to your area. If you are told to evacuate, be ready to act immediately. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. Make every attempt to evacuate during daylight hours. Remember: listen to local authorities and do what they ask you to do.

If you are asked to evacuate, and can make one call before you leave home, call someone you love and tell them you are safe. Then, ask them to register you on Safe and Well.

Register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website at www.redcross.org.

• The Safe and Well Website allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being.
• For those that do not have internet access, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.
• Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

American Red Cross Supports Disaster Relief Efforts in ND & MN

In preparation for a second crest efforts include Mobile Feeding of Sandbaggers to Shelter Preparation

Red Cross Response & Resources thus far – Disasters are rapidly evolving situations. The following is current information as of 3:00 pm on 4/9/09:

Mobile Feeding Operations:
o Eight Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in partnership with the Salvation Army are providing mobile feeding to sandbaggers at the Fargo Dome and other sandbag drop off sites

Relief Operation volunteers:
o More than 70 trained Red Cross volunteers are in Fargo/Moorhead/Valley City. Volunteers will continue working to support the efforts in North Dakota and Minnesota. Volunteers help with mobile feeding, shelter preparation, meal distribution, minor first aid and provide emotional support.

Resources:
o Shelter support trailers have been prepositioned in Fargo/Moorhead/Valley City with comfort kits, cots, blankets, ready to eat meals and clean-up kits.
o Shelter teams are in the area in preparation for sheltering needs. Teams include members who operate the shelter and provide basic health services and emotional support.

Flood Safety Tips:
o Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded area while driving turn around and go another way.
o Keep children and pets out of the water, they are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
o Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

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Free kits can be picked up from the Minn-Kota Chapter Office

Area residents who are recovering from flood damage to their homes can request a free clean-up kit from the American Red Cross. The kits contain a mop, broom, bucket, cleaning solutions, sponge, trash bags, and a scrub brush. Kits can be picked up from the Minn-Kota Chapter office, located at 2602 12th Street North in Fargo. For more information, contact the chapter at 701-364-1800.

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American Red Cross Provides Health and Counseling Services During Disaster Relief Efforts

Feeding Operations Continue in the Flood Zones

Red Cross Response & Resources Thus Far – Disasters are rapidly evolving situations. The following is current information as of 9 a.m. on April 3, 2009:

Shelters Closing This Week:
o Closed: Grand Forks: Alerus Center, 1200 42nd Street South
o Closed: Fargo: Agassiz Middle School, 1305 South 9th Avenue
o Closed: Moorhead: Moorhead High School, 2300 4th Avenue South

Mobile Feeding Operations:
o More than 65,500 meals served
o Over 183,150 snacks distributed

Relief Operation Volunteers:
o Over 1270 trained Red Cross volunteers and staff have helped in Minnesota and North Dakota flood zones.
o Red Cross volunteers trained in the health care field have provided care in over 2000 separate instances to people in the affected area.
o Red Cross mental health professionals have provided emotional support in over 2770 separate instances for people in the affected area.

Damage Assessment:
o The American Red Cross has begun initial damage assessment in counties affected by the Red River Valley floods.

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American Red Cross Provides Meals in Jamestown, ND

Red Cross Response & Resources thus far – Disasters are rapidly evolving situations. The following is current information as of 1 pm on 4/02/09:

In support of state and local relief efforts, the American Red Cross is providing food for the following activities in the Jamestown, ND area:

• The sandbagging operation at the Civic Arena will be supplied with food through a joint operation in collaboration with the Salvation Army. Beginning on April 2, the Salvation Army will provide hot dinners, and the American Red Cross will provide cold breakfasts and lunches. At present, this is expected to continue through April 11.
• The sandbags produced by the Civic Arena operation will be delivered to 18 predetermined drop-off points, and the American Red Cross will support this stage of operations by providing mobile feeding and delivering meals and snacks directly to personnel at the drop-off points.
• The American Red Cross is also supplying meals and snacks to the following: the staff of the animal rescue shelter established by Prairie Paws Rescue at the Jamestown Auto Center, and three snowplow garages belonging to the City of Jamestown, the Stutsman County Department of Transportation and the Jamestown Fire Department.

The American Red Cross is also providing outreach mental health services to area nursing homes.

We’ve served lots of meals to the communities along the Red River.  This graph shows exactly how many:

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The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the Red River floods:

• Shelters opened: 9
• Shelter Overnight Stays: 1,422
• Meals served: 54,789
• Snacks served: 165,096
• Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground: 44
• Mental Health Consultations: 2,603
• Health Services Consultations: 1,960
• Red Cross workers involved: 848 (93% volunteer)