News Release: Local Red Cross Sends 17 Disaster Responders to Louisiana to Help with Worst Disaster Since Superstorm Sandy
Local
Red Cross Sends 17 Disaster Responders to Louisiana
to Help with Worst Disaster Since Superstorm Sandy
Seventeen Red Cross disaster responders from Oregon and Southwest
Washington
Washington
deploy to Louisiana to help people affected by the worst
natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy.
PORTLAND, Ore., August 16, 2016 – The American
Red Cross Cascades Region (Oregon and Southwest Washington) is responding
to devastating flooding in Louisiana. Red Cross disaster workers are providing
shelter, food and comfort to
those affected and more help is on the way.
Red Cross Cascades Region (Oregon and Southwest Washington) is responding
to devastating flooding in Louisiana. Red Cross disaster workers are providing
shelter, food and comfort to
those affected and more help is on the way.
Responders from Medford,
Silverton, Florence, Salem, Portland, Lake Oswego, Wolf Creek and Keizer, Williams, and Turner, Oregon as well as Vancouver, Washington are either
on the ground or heading to Louisiana. They are assisting affected communities
by managing shelters, providing emergency financial assistance, health and
mental health services, transportation services, and coordinating with local
government entities to help deliver assistance.
Silverton, Florence, Salem, Portland, Lake Oswego, Wolf Creek and Keizer, Williams, and Turner, Oregon as well as Vancouver, Washington are either
on the ground or heading to Louisiana. They are assisting affected communities
by managing shelters, providing emergency financial assistance, health and
mental health services, transportation services, and coordinating with local
government entities to help deliver assistance.
“We depend on the generosity of
the public to make sure we can help people in need – anytime and anywhere,”
said Amy Shlossman, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “It costs the Red
Cross approximately $1,650 to send a volunteer to a relief
operation for 11 days –
the average length of a disaster deployment.”
the public to make sure we can help people in need – anytime and anywhere,”
said Amy Shlossman, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “It costs the Red
Cross approximately $1,650 to send a volunteer to a relief
operation for 11 days –
the average length of a disaster deployment.”
THE SITUATION IN LOUISIANA:
The flooding in Louisiana is
likely the worst natural disaster since 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. Sunday night
more than 10,600 people sought refuge in nearly 50 Red Cross and community
shelters in Louisiana. Local officials have reported making more than 20,000
water rescues, and are estimating that 10,000 homes have been damaged. Many
areas are still inaccessible. The flooding danger is not over as weather
experts predict more rain is possible.
likely the worst natural disaster since 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. Sunday night
more than 10,600 people sought refuge in nearly 50 Red Cross and community
shelters in Louisiana. Local officials have reported making more than 20,000
water rescues, and are estimating that 10,000 homes have been damaged. Many
areas are still inaccessible. The flooding danger is not over as weather
experts predict more rain is possible.
Preliminary estimates
indicate that Red Cross response efforts could cost more than $10 million. Donations
are urgently needed. To help people affected by the Louisiana Floods visit redcross.org,
call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10
donation. These donations
enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and
help people recover from disasters big and small.
indicate that Red Cross response efforts could cost more than $10 million. Donations
are urgently needed. To help people affected by the Louisiana Floods visit redcross.org,
call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10
donation. These donations
enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and
help people recover from disasters big and small.
OTHER RED CROSS
RESOURCES:
RESOURCES:
SAFE AND WELL: Register on the Red
Cross Safe and Well website so loved ones can see if you are safe and well.
Those who can’t access a computer can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and
a Red Cross operator can help them register. They can also update their Facebook
and Twitter status through the Safe and Well website or visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell on their smart phone
and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for friends and
family” link.
Cross Safe and Well website so loved ones can see if you are safe and well.
Those who can’t access a computer can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and
a Red Cross operator can help them register. They can also update their Facebook
and Twitter status through the Safe and Well website or visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell on their smart phone
and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for friends and
family” link.
EMERGENCY APP: Download the free Red Cross Emergency
App to
receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding,
wildfires and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also
includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows
people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is
available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
App to
receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding,
wildfires and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also
includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows
people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is
available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
About
the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to
victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches
skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports
military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit
organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American
public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Cascades or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCasc.
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