Relief from the DelugeThe American Red Cross is mounting a massive relief operation across Texas and Oklahoma following a relentless series of devastating flooding and storms that have impacted tens of thousands of lives and washed away hundreds of homes. The Red Cross is there for families in need right now, providing shelter, meals and relief supplies and helping people prepare for the continued onslaught of more severe weather. Just last night, 15 shelters with more than 200 people requiring relief from the deluge. The Red Cross will be there for as long as needed, thanks to the generous support of our donors. For nearly a month, more than 1,000 Red Cross disasterworkers – a majority of whom are volunteers – have been on the ground in Oklahoma and Texas following Red Cross workers in Texas and Oklahoma help people affected by severe weather, including tornadoes, this spring.
The same set of storms also impacted neighboring states such as Arkansas, Iowa and South Dakota, and the Red Cross, too, provided relief and recovery in these areas. In total over the last month in Oklahoma and Texas, the Red Cross has served more than 50,000 meals and snacks and handed out nearly 50,000 relief items such as shovels, trash bags and work gloves. 38 emergency response vehicles delivered food, water and volunteer support around impacted communities. In addition, in both states the Red Cross opened Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) with representatives from the Red Cross and partner organizations to provide a “one stop shop” for guidance and resources to families displaced by the storms.
In Bridgeport, TX, residents Wesley and Mickey Campbell were in their home when a tornado tore through their rural townMay 20th. They heard the storm outside and tried to get out of the house out the back door, but it was too late.
“We got there and that was as far as we got before it hit,” Wesley Campbell recalled. “We got down behind the washer and dryer and waited. I could feel the house moving in all directions and we prayed hard.”
Luckily, the Campbell’s were safe from the storm, but it didn’t take long to realize their worst fears had come true – the house they had called home for 15 years was in tatters and scattered across the ground.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Red Cross workers are helping the Campbell’s and families just like theirs to help recover from the storms.
“It’s wonderful and unbelievable that so many came out to help. It makes me feel good. People I don’t even know are here,” Wesley said of the Red Cross workers and others who were there to provide comfort and hope.
Though recent Red Cross response efforts have been large, the flood relief and recovery efforts on the horizon could be greater in scope—and need. The Red Cross is ready to support whatever size disaster may come. Right now, more disaster workers and resources are being sent to the impacted areas from across the nation, and further support is on standby.May 26, 2015
RELIEF IN ACTIONSPRING STORMS IN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA
Red Cross Emergency App
Download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to expert advice on what to do right before, during and after 14 different types of emergencies and disasters, including severe storms. The app contains weather alerts, lifesaving information and ways to contact family and friends in one free, easy-to-use app for mobile devices. Users can customize more than 35 emergency alerts based on their location and where their loved ones live.
The free Emergency App is available in app stores for smartphones and tablets by searching for the American Red Cross or by going to redcross. org/apps.How You Can HelpHelp people affected by disasters at home and around the world by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross. org/donate, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.Delivering Hope, EveryDay, Across the Country Each year, the Red Cross responds to an average of nearly 70,000 disasters, from single-family and apartment home fires to severe storms, floods and wildfires. People in need turn to us in their darkest hours because they know they can depend on us for immediate relief and help through their recovery.
To fulfill this promise, the Red Cross must be ready for every disaster, regardless of its size. We count on the generosity of our donors, whose support of Disaster Relief enables us to be there for those we serve. We ask you to join in this commitment.Red Cross emergency response vehicles distributemeals and recovery items to help families affected by disasters big and small.Everyday DisastersThe Red Cross works around the clock to deliver hope and help for families in communities across the country, and among countless crises, home fires continue to threaten families regardless of season. Just over Memorial Day weekend, disaster workers have responded to six large-scale multi-family fires in Alabama, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio and California. Trained Red Cross volunteers work one-on-one with those in need, supplying emergency lodging, food, health and mental health services, and help families create recovery plans for the road ahead.
