The following information is courtesy of Public Affairs Director of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region Nancy Malone:
“The Red Cross volunteers are providing comfort and care at shelters, hot meals, personal care supplies, cleaning products and tools, health services, emotional support and other disaster assistance. They are evaluating changing needs across communities, working with parish and state officials, coordinating the hundreds of volunteers serving in 32 activities, managing the logistics of hundreds of thousands of supplies, and even making repairs to vehicles and other equipment.
“Volunteers are the heart and hands of the Red Cross,” said Kay W. Wilkins, chief executive of the Red Cross in Louisiana. “Our communities depend on Red Cross volunteers, who make up about 90 percent of our workforce nationwide and, in Louisiana, also have been personally affected by these floods.”
Diego, who is the Emergency Relief Vehicle coordinator in Monroe, has been serving with the Red Cross in Southeast Louisiana for the past three years. He’s among teammates who became Red Cross volunteers yesterday and those who’ve been with the nonprofit for more than 40 years. Camp strategizes where the response vehicles are stationed, the services they provide, and how they deliver hot meals, snacks and water or distribute supplies to the community.
“I’ve seen a lot of heartbreak, which is why I love doing what I do: helping those affected and being that light in their dark moment,” Camp said. “I’m happy to be out here feeding and assisting people, and working with a great team.”
While it is not unusual for volunteers to make significant time commitments during times of tragedy, Camp’s deployment is now nearing a month. Prior to the flooding, he provided relief efforts for the Feb. 22 tornadoes that hit Southeastern Louisiana.
“I’ve taken a lot of time off of work, but these residents need me more than I need the money,” Camp said.
To join the Red Cross team, sign up to volunteer at redcross.org/Louisiana. Training is ongoing to provide all volunteers additional support as they serve.
RED CROSS RESPONSE Red Cross disaster workers and partners are serving meals and providing supplies in affected communities across the state as it is safe to do so. Trucks and nearly two dozen Emergency Response Vehicles have served more than 55,800 meals and distributed 24,700 relief items including personal care kits and cleaning supply kits.
With more rain expected this weekend, the Red Cross team continues to monitor the situation with state and local officials to ensure people get the help they need.
People living in communities threatened by flooding should keep informed about weather conditions and listen to the advice of local officials. If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary. Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to have safety information and shelter locations available on your mobile device. The Emergency App features emergency weather alerts to help keep the user safe, and provides information about what to do in case of floods as well as the locations of open shelters.
The following Red Cross managed or supported shelters were open overnight:
Bossier Parish
· Bossier Civic Center – 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, La. 71111
Calcasieu Parish
· Knights of Columbus Hall – 1601 Horridge St., Vinton, LA 70663
Ouachita Parish
· Saul Adler Community Center – 3900 Westminster Ave., Monroe, La. 71201
Rapides Parish
· Old Cleco building – 201 Cleco Drive, Pineville, LA, 71360
Tangipahoa Parish
· National Guard Armory – 746 E. Railwood Ave., Independence, La. 70466
Washington Parish
· Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church – 510 Avenue B, Bogalusa, La. 70427
A community-run shelter is open:
Caldwell Parish
· Caldwell Parish Community Center – 6539 Highway 165 South, Duty Ferry, La. 71418
HOW TO HELP People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief to support disasters big and small by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
“We continue to need the public’s support,” Wilkins said. “This is one of the largest disasters to hit our state in recent years. The Red Cross depends on the continued support of the public to help people affected by this disaster – many of whom lost everything – as they work to rebuild their lives.””