American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

July 12th, 2012- Belzoni, MS - The Northwest Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is responding to flooding in the Delta area. Eighty people are displaced and twenty homes are affected. Disaster Action Team members are currently accessing the damage. “We will continue to monitor the rainfall and begin assisting the families with immediate needs.” said Jo Gibbons, Readiness and Response Manager.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of disaster events in Mississippi and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Mississippi Region Disaster Relief which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. To make contributions, call 800-RED-CROSS or donate online at http://www.mississippi-redcross.org.

American Red Cross Continual Assistance

Lake City, Florida July 9, 2012- The American Red Cross continues to support the community by providing safe shelter and food to those affected by flooding left behind by Tropical Storm Debby. In the shelters, Red Cross client caseworkers are identifying client needs while disaster mental health and health services nurses provided counseling as required. Additionally the caseworkers are providing referrals for assistance to partner agencies. While in shelters the Red Cross assists them in engaging federal assistance through FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) or calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. The FEMA website is http://www.FEMA.gov.

As shelter populations decline and client emergency needs are met, the Red Cross either consolidates or closes facilities. Often times these community members return to the life style in which they engaged before disaster forced them to seek shelter. During the long term recovery of the communities affected by Tropical Storm Debby, the Red Cross will remain active assisting affected members of the community and collaborating with our community partners to assist in long term recovery.

American Red Cross shelters close when the immediate needs of our clients have been met. The Red Cross and our partners are present to be involved with the client’s long term recovery assistance planning.

Throughout the Tropical Storm Debby disaster relief the American Red Cross has provided safe shelters for 1186 residents with 44 remaining in shelters as of July 8^th, 2012. Residents have received 16,279 meals and 62,801 snacks, 3076 cleanup kits, and 11,726 comfort kits.

HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP Help people affected by disasters like the recent tropical storm, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or text 90999 for a $10.00 donation. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

HOW TO FIND RED CROSS SHELTERS People who have been forced to evacuate can find out where Red Cross shelters are open by going to www.redcross.org or accessing the free Red Cross phone app. Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes. Residents can also monitor local media—radio, newspaper and television—to find out where local shelters are located.

REGISTER ON SAFE AND WELL The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People affected by the fires and flooding can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to be connected with one’s local Red Cross chapter.