shelter « American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Press Release: Red Cross to Open Shelters in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties

March 31, 2011

March 31, 2011 – The American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter is opening shelters in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for people who have been affected by today’s storms. The shelters will open at 6:00 p.m. Shelter locations are:

In Pinellas County:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church located at 455 Missouri Ave., Largo.

Hillsborough County:
Limona Village Chapel, 408 Limona Rd., Brandon
St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 4120 N. MacDill Blvd., Ave., Tampa

Anyone that may need to evacuate their homes due to storm damage should bring with them the following items: Bedding, pillows and blankets, Toys and items to keep children occupied, Medications, Personal hygiene items, and Personal identification.

For more information, please contact the American Red Cross in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties can call toll free 877-741-1444.

Leave a Comment » | Press Release | Tagged: disaster, florida, red cross, shelter, storm, tampa, weather | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Disaster Update: Flooding in New Jersey

March 15, 2011

Disaster Update

New Jersey –

Shelter

The American Red Cross continues to manage the Red Cross shelter in Patterson and support the non-Red Cross shelters with cots, blankets, comfort kits, towels, etc. There have been 133 overnight stays in the American Red Cross shelter.

Bulk Distribution

The Red Cross is continuing mobile bulk distribution routes in the following communities on Tuesday, March 15, 2011: Fairfield, Wayne, Lincoln Park, Pompton Lakes, & Pompton Plains. We will be distributing clean up kits, cleaning supplies such as gloves, and other recovery supplies.

To date we have distributed 686 clean up kits and 183 other bulk items.

Mobile Feeding

The Red Cross is continuing mobile feeding routes to support residents and responders in the following communities on Tuesday March 15, 2011: Fairfield, Wayne, Lincoln Park, & Pompton Plains. A full lunch, box dinner and snacks will be provided.

To date we have served 2,147 meals and 956 snacks.

Disaster Assessment

The Red Cross Disaster Assessment teams will be working in the areas where flood waters have receded to identify damage and the needs of the community. Currently disaster assessment is 38% complete and they have identified 683 dwellings affected by the flood waters, with 207 suffering major damage or destroyed.

Staffing

The majority of the relief operation staff have come from NJ. Three staff from PA and one staff member from GA have deployed to support the operation.

To date 114 staff members (volunteer & paid) from NJ have served on the relief operation.

Leave a Comment » | Disaster Alerts, Spring Floods 2011 | Tagged: disaster, flooding, new jersey, red cross, shelter, storm, weather | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Photos: Tornado in Mississippi

March 10, 2011

See entire “2011 Spring Tornadoes” set on Flickr >>

Leave a Comment » | Photos, Spring Tornadoes 2011 | Tagged: aid, mississippi, red cross, shelter, storm, tornado, weather | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Story: Family starts from scratch again with help from the Red Cross

March 10, 2011

This story is written by Megan Burkes, a Red Cross worker in Mississippi.

Howard Stewart and his fiancé, Esmeralda Layton were dealt another devastating blow this morning when their mobile home was destroyed by severe weather that ripped through South Mississippi. This is the second time Stewart and Layton have sorted through their belongings having lost everything to Hurricane Katrina five years ago.

“This is a bigger mountain than we are ready to climb,” says Stewart, “But, we are lucky to be alive.” Stewart was at work when the severe weather came through and Esmeralda was at the gym working out. Both consider this a great blessing after seeing the state of their home.

Both thank the Red Cross for the quick response to their needs. “The Red Cross has made sure we have what we need for the next few days, a place to stay, food, clothing and shoes. It’s a big help, we have nothing,” says Stewart.

Leave a Comment » | Spring Tornadoes 2011, Stories | Tagged: disaster, mississippi, shelter, storm, tornado, weather | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Press Release: Red Cross Provides Comfort for Those Affected By Severe Weather

March 9, 2011

Red Cross Provides Comfort for Those Affected By Severe Weather

MOBILE, Ala., March 9, 2011 – The American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter is on the scene in Silverhill, Alabama to help those affected by the thunderstorm and possible tornados. We will be meeting with the families affected and will assist them with their immediate emergency needs. Red Cross emergency assistance can include food, clothing, shelter, emotional support, and referrals; the amount of assistance given is determined by a caseworker who meets with each family to assess their immediate emergency needs and provides assistance accordingly. The Red Cross is also providing canteen services to the victims and first responders working at the scene.

“In the days to come, the Red Cross will be coordinating with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the storms get back on their feet,” said Leisle Mims, Executive Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter.

The Red Cross offers the following tips for those in the affected area to stay safer:

Video: Shelter in Ohio

March 2, 2011

Leave a Comment » | Spring Floods 2011, Videos | Tagged: shelter, tennessee | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Disaster Alert: Wildfire in North Carolina

February 22, 2011

Disaster Alert

North Carolina – A brush fire in Warren County caused the evacuation of residents within the affected area on Saturday.

The Triangle Area Chapter deployed Disaster Action Team and provided Mass Care to emergency responders.

Leave a Comment » | Disaster Alerts | Tagged: fire, north carolina, shelter, wildfire | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Disaster Alert: Wildfire in Washington

February 14, 2011

Disaster Alert

Washington – A wildfire on an Indian reservation in Yakima County damaged dozens of homes, threatened hundreds of others, closed roads, caused power outages and prompted the evacuation of scores of residents within the affected area on Saturday. Minor injuries reported.

Disaster Action Team members from the Yakima Valley Chapter opened a shelter, provided Mass Care, and offered assistance, as needed to affected-area residents.

Leave a Comment » | Disaster Alerts | Tagged: fire, red cross, shelter, washington, wildfire | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Press Release: American Red Cross Helps 30 Residents Following Devastating Explosion and Fire in Allentown, Pa.

February 11, 2011

American Red Cross Helps 30 Residents Following Devastating Explosion and Fire in Allentown, Pa.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Feb. 10, 2011) – The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley continued its efforts today to help 13 families left homeless by last night’s explosion and fire in the 500 and 600 blocks of N. 13th Street in Allentown.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in this devastating event,” said John R. Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “In a tight-knit community as ours, we all share the heartbreak that this tragedy brings.” Red Cross mental health volunteers are working closely with the families.

As of 4:15 p.m., 13 families (28 adults and two children) received assistance for lodging, food, clothing, shoes, medication replacement, blankets, toiletry items, seasonal garments and referrals for other resources. All disaster assistance is free and is provided through financial donations by the general public. The cost to shelter, feed, clothe, and provide shoes and winter garments for one adult is about $400.

Read More >>

Leave a Comment » | Press Release | Tagged: explosion, fire, pennsylvania, red cross, shelter | Permalink
Posted by amrecro

Story: Busy Day Two At A Red Cross Shelter

February 10, 2011

This story is written by volunteers at the Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter.

Riley, 2, gets a snack with help from Red Cross volunteer Bonnie Reyers at the Bloomington shelter. Riley and his mother escaped the apartment fire early Tuesday morning.

By 10 a.m. the list of tasks was getting long. Shelter Manager Ruth Talford needed to order pizzas for lunch, arrange transportation to off-site showers, and set up two family meeting rooms, including one for discussing financial assistance and another for providing stress relief and counseling. Later in the afternoon, Talford would need to help families get to where they could request government emergency assistance funds.

Meanwhile families in the shelter were busy, too.

Grandmother Eva Dale needed emergency medical care for care of her feet, but first she had to prepare granddaughter Kiara for kindergarten. That meant finding some school clothes and transportation to Kiara’s elementary school.

Red Cross volunteers sprung into action and within 15 minutes Kiara was decked out in a school outfit and winter coat, but she still needed shoes. So did her sister, Kiana, as well as Grandmother Eva. Shoes were in short supply so one volunteer was given names of two nearby neighbors who had offered to help.

Read More >>

Leave a Comment » | Stories, Winter Storms (February 2011) | Tagged: red cross, shelter, storm, winter | Permalink
Posted by amrecro