American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Red Cross Continues Helping Southern Minnesota Families Devastated by Floods – DISASTER UPDATE

Rochester, MN October 6, 2010 – Red Cross volunteers continue to provide stability and hope for families in this time of chaos. Through mobile outreach into flood-affected areas, teams of caseworkers are connecting one-on-one with people in need and providing financial assistance for food, clothing, shelter, and health-related concerns. Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles are bringing food and distributing clean-up supplies in flood-ravaged neighborhoods. Since the flooding began, more than 379 Red Cross volunteers have been working to support the disaster-caused needs of families.

Currently, the Red Cross is providing approximately 700 meals a day in the communities of Hammond, Mazeppa, Pine Island and Zumbro Falls. “Every meal I’ve had [since the flood] has been in this tent. It gives us a chance to relax and talk to someone,” says LaVerne Radke of Hammond, whose home of 20 years was destroyed in the flood.

To date, the Red Cross has provided 242 overnight stays, served 12,560 meals and 12,047 snacks, and distributed 1,943 clean-up kits and 1,366 bulk items (e.g. garbage bags, gloves, bleach). The Red Cross will continue providing meals, snacks, and clean-up supplies as long as there is a need. The Red Cross opened eleven shelters across southern Minnesota due to the flooding. Those shelters are now all closed.

Volunteers are also helping with emergency medical needs and providing emotional support and counseling. The Red Cross is working with local partners to connect those in need with available community resources.

“Our volunteers are ready to meet with every person who was affected by this flood to determine how the Red Cross can assist them in rebuilding their lives,” says Melanie Tschida, Executive Director of the Southeast Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross. All Red Cross disaster relief is completely free to the recipients.

If you are in need of Red Cross services, please contact your local chapter. Local chapter information is available at 1-800-RED-CROSS or www.redcross.org.

Preliminary damage assessment reports indicate that 5,326 homes were affected by flooding in 17 counties. The Red Cross expects to spend between $610,000 and $891,000 to help people rebuild their lives following this disaster.

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