American Red Cross – Online Disaster News Portal

Wildfire Recovery Begins

American Red Cross Responding with Food and Shelter

FORT WORTH, TX (April 11, 2009) The Red Cross is responding in areas of North Central Texas affected by recent wildfires.

A Red Cross shelter is opening at 5 p.m. this evening in Montague County at St. William’s Catholic Church, 243 Union St., Montague, TX 76251. Anyone affected by the fire is welcome to stay at the shelter. Meals will be available for all shelter residents.

Red Cross disaster workers are also providing canteen services to emergency responders with meals, snacks and drinks.

Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are present in Montague and Jack counties and based at the following locations:

Montague County Sheriff’s Office/EOC
111 S. Grand
Montague, TX 76251

Twin Lakes Community Activity Center
1114 West State Hwy. 59
Jacksboro, TX 76458

Affected residents will be able to access resources available on the ERVs, such as snacks, water, towels, blankets, comfort kits with hygiene items such as toothbrushes and wash cloths, and other comfort items. There will be times of the day where the ERVs are out in the affected areas to provide assistance to families who are busy cleaning up damage from the wildfires.

Additionally, Red Cross disaster assessment teams are surveying the damage today in some of the most devastated areas of Montague, Jack, Clay and Young counties. Disaster assessment will continue through the holiday weekend.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, Red Cross client caseworkers will meet with affected families in Montague County at a Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster Assistance Center (VOADAC). A VOADAC will be open on Tuesday, April 14, at 1 p.m. in Jack County. Locations will be announced. Residents from surrounding counties are encouraged to visit one of these centers. If residents are unable to participate during these times, Red Cross assistance will still be available. The Red Cross will be present in the affected communities until services are no longer needed.

During the client casework process, residents will have time to sit down with Red Cross caseworkers to determine immediate disaster-related needs. Affected residents are encouraged to speak with their caseworker about all disaster-caused needs to see how they can help. Assistance is based on case-by-case individual family’s needs and may vary from one household to another.

Residents affected by the wildfires and needing Red Cross assistance or who would like to report damage as a result of the wildfires are encouraged to contact their local Red Cross:

• North Central Texas Chapter (Wichita Falls): (940) 322-8686
• Chisholm Trail Chapter (Fort Worth): (817) 335-9137

Individuals interested in helping victims of disaster can make a donation to the American Red Cross or contact their local chapter to volunteer. To make a donation, contact your local Red Cross, call 1-800 RED CROSS or visit www.redcross.org

The Red Cross response is changing regularly to meet the growing needs of the affected residents. The Red Cross will provide updates as more information becomes available. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ChisholmTrailRC.