Rain, a much welcomed sight in Texas but when it pounds the dry ground for hours, much like it has over the last few hours, concerns for public safety quickly take the spotlight.
Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.
A Red Cross worker disseminates information to Jimmy Ault, resident of Greenville, Mississippi at an Information Station outside of a Walmart. Photo Credit: Allison Graber/American Red Cross
As flood waters crest in multiple cities this week, the American Red Cross is working around the clock to ensure residents along the Mississippi River are prepared.
In Mississippi, the Red Cross has opened nine “information stations” where people can get flood preparedness information and talk to Red Cross workers about the services the Red Cross provides during a flood.
Residents who visit these stations can learn where shelters are located, and can also pick up bottled water, snacks and comfort kits (which contain daily personal items such as shampoo and toothpaste).
Teams of Red Cross workers trained in mental health, health services and spiritual care are also going door to door in some areas to talk to residents about flood preparedness. Volunteers from AmeriCorps National Community Civilian Corps (NCCC)—a long-time partner of the Red Cross—are also involved in these efforts.
In addition to distributing preparedness information, the Red Cross has opened seven shelters in Mississippi, with more on standby to help residents who evacuate from their homes.
In Louisiana, where the opening of the Morganza Spillway on Saturday is expected to affect thousands of people, Red Cross workers are also distributing flood preparedness information in potentially impacted parishes.
The Red Cross is prepared for a prolonged feeding and shelter response, with more than 20 shelters ready to open if needed in Louisiana. To ensure there will be enough volunteers to support a long-term sheltering operation, the Red Cross in Baton Rouge, La., is also recruiting and training more local volunteers.
Red Cross is ready to support flooding of Louisiana. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and dedicated volunteer crews, now totaling 11 in the state, stand ready to deploy from Disaster Relief Operations HQ in Baton Rouge. Photo Credit: Eric Jones/American Red Cross
Meanwhile, truckloads of Red Cross relief supplies made their way into the state over the weekend, including thousands of cots, blankets and comfort kits. The Red Cross is working closely with government and community partners to ensure workers, equipment, shelters, food and relief materials are in place as people evacuate from their homes.
Residents in inundated towns along the river not only need things to meet their physical needs, such as food and shelter, but also someone to listen and support them through this difficult and uncertain time.
Brenda Griffin has been through great emotional upheaval this year, and that was before the area known as “the cutoff” in Tunica, Miss., was covered by flood water. Many of the homes in the area were stilted as a precaution, but those homes and three fishing camps were wiped out by the Mississippi last week.
As Griffin talked with Red Cross emotional support worker Dominic Di Girolamo, she told him that her mom had recently died after a battle with cancer, and she that had to put down one of her beloved pets. The small town has also lost several of its residents to illness in the past few months. And now she’s lost her home.
“I’ve never been in a situation where I don’t have anything,” said Griffin. “I’m separated from all my stuff; I feel disoriented, like I’m floating on a raft in the ocean. My mom was always there for me and now she’s gone. She was the person who grounded everything.”
Griffin described the Red Cross shelter in Tunica as a safe haven where she and other Tunica residents from the cutoff can meet to catch up. Local restaurants and businesses have been closed, so the folks from the cutoff meet at the shelter to check in with each other.
For weeks to come, as waters remain high through many parts of Mississippi and Louisiana, Red Cross volunteers like Di Girolamo will be there to help residents through what is for many a life-changing disaster.
The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; you can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. 2011 Spring Floods
American Red Cross disaster volunteers have had a long few weeks. It’s rare that so many bad things happen in so many areas in such a short amount of time. A true reminder that anything can happen anywhere, anytime.
Here at the Dallas Area Chapter, 27 volunteers who are nationally trained experts were deployed to areas in Alabama and Mississippi to respond to the deadly tornado outbreaks. Many of those that went were still washing the smoke smell out of their disaster vests from the massive wildfires that destroyed over two million acres right here in their backyard. Now, many of them are shifting gears from tornado to flood with extended assignments; and all eyes on the Mississippi River.
As they reflect on what they have seen so far, the heartbreak for those affected and the desire to stay and help comes through in even the simplest message. Tom Elliot is one of those volunteers. His brief message says it all:
“Mississippi had spotty tornado damage overall, but the small town of Smithville, population 800, was nearly wiped off the face of the map. 18 people died. They have US flags in front of the rubble of each house where someone died. We are now preparing for the floods. Vicksburg, Mississippi is due to crest on May 21st. We’re planning to open four mega shelters along the western side of the state and two mega kitchens. Mississippi wraps up one disaster and now has to face a second. Hardly seems fair.”
With record flooding following record tornadoes following record wildfires, no doubt it is taking a toll on everyone from emergency worker, to resident, to even the observers far from these areas. Our volunteers are tired. But they are even more resilient because the people being impacted by these terrible disasters need them to be.
On behalf of all of us keeping the home fires burning, we salute every one of you out in the field helping and we really hope to see you home soon.
The American Red Cross is ramping up to help people along the Mississippi River, where forecasters are predicting potentially catastrophic flooding may occur starting later this week. The Red Cross is sending trained volunteers and supplies to the areas of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana threatened by the record flooding. Shelters are opening in some parts of those states.
Tom Elliott, an American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer from Dallas, Texas, was sent to Mississippi last week to help with the deadly tornado outbreak. Little did he know that a week later, his team would not only be responding to that disaster, but that they would be gearing up for one that could be even worse.
“We’re preparing for Vicksburg, MS to crest on the 21st,” said Elliott. “We’re planning to open four large shelters on the western side of the state and two large kitchens. We’re not even wrapped up with the first disaster and now the people of Mississippi have to face a second.”
Across the south, deadly tornadoes destroyed or damaged as many as 13,000 homes in recent weeks. The Red Cross estimates the costs of its responses to the April tornadoes, Texas wildfires, flooding and other disasters since March 31 could reach $31 million—with the response to the Mississippi River flooding expected to drive relief expenses even higher. As of Thursday, May 5, the Red Cross had raised about $16 million for disaster response since March 31.
Thousands of people have been affected by recent disasters. Please consider making a donation today by clicking on www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions can also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The Red Cross has launched 20 separate relief operations over more than half of the United States since March 31. A total of 27 disaster relief experts from Dallas, Texas are currently on assignment in MS, AL, AR, or TN. More are expected to deploy in the days and weeks ahead.
Red Cross Moving Supplies and Volunteers to Help People Along the Mississippi River and in Tornado-Ravaged South As flood threat increases, so does the need for donations
Forecasters are predicting catastrophic flooding may occur along the Mississippi River in the next few days, and the American Red Cross is ramping up to help people along the river as efforts continue to assist thousands of people in tornado-ravaged communities across the South.
The Red Cross estimates the costs of its responses to the April tornadoes, flooding and other disasters since March 31 could reach $31 million—with the response to the Mississippi River flooding expected to drive relief expenses even higher. As of Thursday, May 5, the Red Cross had raised about $16 million for disaster response since March 31.
These disaster costs are in addition to the approximately $378 million that the Red Cross must raise annually to respond to more than 65,000 disasters each year.
“We’re gearing up to respond to major flooding along the Mississippi River,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Red Cross workers and supplies are already on the way there, even as we continue to provide for the people affected by the tornadoes.”
The Red Cross is preparing to launch a prolonged shelter and feeding operation for people living along the Mississippi, sending in leadership teams, calling down disaster workers and pre-positioning thousands of cots, blankets and other relief supplies. More than 400 Red Cross workers already are in Memphis to support efforts there and in other nearby communities. Experts are warning that flood waters could remain in areas for as long as two weeks, forcing people to stay in shelters for more than a month.
Meanwhile, more than 6,000 Red Cross workers are providing meals, shelter, hygiene and cleanup supplies and health and mental health services to people affected by the recent tornadoes.
The Red Cross has launched 20 separate relief operations over more than half of the United States since March 31, responding to disasters from North Dakota to the East Coast and all throughout the South. Since the end of March, the Red Cross has opened more than 170 shelters and provided more than 13,000 overnight stays, serving more than 1.2 million meals and snacks to people affected by wildfires, flooding and tornadoes.
The Red Cross urges people living in and around the Mississippi River to get prepared now. If their neighborhood is threatened, they should:
Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for the area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters. If someone comes upon a flowing stream where water is above their ankles, they should stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep a person off of their feet.
If someone comes upon a flooded road while driving, they should turn around and go another way. If caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around them, they should get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
People should know what the warnings mean. A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in the area. If a flood watch is issued, people should move their furniture and valuables to higher floors of their home. People should keep their vehicle’s gas tank full in case they have to evacuate.
A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in the area. If a flood warning is issued, listen to local radio and television stations for information. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
Thousands of people have been affected by these disasters. Please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
As the Mississippi River crests at record levels in Memphis, Tenn., the Red Cross is in ready to open as many shelters as necessary to take care of evacuees.
April now looks to be the busiest month on record for tornadoes, having left more than 13,000 homes destroyed or damaged across six states, according to preliminary estimates.
The American Red Cross has spent most of this spring responding to the violent weather that has hit so many communities in the U.S. Since March 31, the Red Cross has:
Served more than half a million meals and snacks with the help of community partners like the Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Convention; more than 165,000 have been served in Alabama.
Opened more than 130 shelters.
Provided more than 10,000 overnight stays, nearly half of which have been in Alabama.
Made nearly 10, 000 health and mental health consultations.
Distributed more than 253,000 relief items such as gloves, rakes, tarps and shovels.
In addition, nearly 4,500 Red Cross workers from all 50 states have assisted with relief and recovery efforts.
Due to the last few weeks’ tornadoes, flooding or in some states, a combination of the two, Red Cross shelters are currently open in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont.
The Red Cross also has 153 emergency response vehicles traveling through seven states right now, providing hot meals and relief supplies to residents in need. Sixty-two of these vehicles are in Alabama, and an additional 17 are headed to the state.
In Pine Flat, Miss., a small community hit by an EF3 tornado last week, Red Cross workers stopped at the home of Charles and Marjorie Potts. The Potts’ home was damaged, and now his wallet is missing. Mr. Potts has numerous health issues, and since he has no way to pay for his medications right now, the Red Cross is helping to cover a portion of his prescription costs.
"The Red Cross has been a God's blessing,” Potts told Red Cross workers Carolyn Freeman and Rusty Surette. “Without your help I would likely be back in the hospital. I can't thank you enough," he said.
Meanwhile, the hits keep on coming for states just beginning their recovery from April’s storms. Heavy rain and swelling rivers are now creating flood concerns across Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana as the Mississippi River continues to rise. The Red Cross is on alert to help these communities when needed.
How You Can Help
The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help people affected by disasters like wildfires, floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS; you can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The irony that it’s National Severe Weather Awareness Week isn’t lost on anyone looking at tomorrow’s North Texas weather forecast. The calendar may still read February, but Mother Nature is already preparing to fire things up. That’s why the Red Cross is urging all North Texans to assemble disaster supply kits and make plans now.
The following are procedures you should follow in order to prepare your family for tornadoes:
Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado, windstorm or major hail storm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Unfortunately, many residents in the Metroplex do not have basements, therefore an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor is the best choice. Putting as many walls between you and the outside will provide additional protection. Also make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.
Get out of your mobile home and choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.
If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.
If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.
Check with your work and your children's schools and day care centers to learn tornado emergency plans. Every building has different safe places. It is important to know where they are and how to get there in an emergency.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. This kit should be kept near your safe room, whether at home, work or school, and should contain supplies such as bottled water, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid supplies, an AM/FM or NOAA Weather radio and additional important items.
Conduct periodic tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching. Practice having everyone in the family go to your designated area in response to a tornado threat. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking time during an actual emergency situation.
Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a tornado.
Log on to www.redcross.org to download free tips on getting prepared for severe weather.
Take an online “Be Red Cross Ready” course. This 15-minute interactive course will ensure that you’ve got everything you need on-hand before the storm hits. To find the course, go to www.redcross.org/beredcrossready.
In the event that severe weather does impact the North Texas area, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will be ready to respond. Real-time updates for any responses can be found by following @RedCrossDallas on Twitter.
Hermine's victims talk about the rising waters, and they thank the Red Cross for responding. Watch this two minute video to see what people think about the Red Cross when the lose everything in a disaster.
When tornadoes were dropping from the skies all over Dallas last week, I actually heard someone say "well, those are just small tornadoes so they don't really count". Tell that to the people in Seagoville who lost their homes, or to the businesses off of Mockingbird in Dallas who have no business left. Nope. There's no such thing as a small tornado. Anytime the clouds tilt over and drop to the ground, it's a big deal.
In the North Texas area, Tropical Storm Hermine claimed one life and is responsible for causing damage to nearly 250 homes. In this video, you'll see a small glimpse into the storms power as Red Cross Damage Assessment Teams survey the May Road Apartments in Seagoville.
As Texans, we’re pretty accustomed to dealing with severe weather--like hail stones the size of softballs, tornadoes that defy logic and lightning that will literally make you shake in your shoes. But if you want to really challenge the entire state, just drop a tropical storm on top of us. Oh sure, the coastal areas in Texas know what to do. But for those of us say in Dallas, Abilene or Wichita Falls, tropical weather is not an ordinary challenge.
Ironically, September is National Preparedness Month and Mother Nature is making it abundantly clear why we should all be prepared. Red Cross chapters across Texas are busy opening shelters and once the rain clears, Damage Assessment teams will fan out to determine exactly how many families will have suffered losses because of Tropical Storm Hermine.
Having a plan won’t stop a tornado from hitting your home, and it won’t stop the flood waters from rising. But what a plan does for you is give you the tools you need that can help save your life! We think your life is valuable so take one minute and see how you rate with your Readiness Quotient: http://www.whatsyourrq.org/ After that, stop by www.redcross.org and download free safety tips at any time. Because so many of us are dealing with flooding today, here’s a great tip sheet to keep us all safe from rising water. http://chisholmtrail.redcross.org/pdf/3_2_12_2_PDF_FloodSafety.pdf
Be safe everyone and as always, if you need us, we’ll be there!
In the wake of the flash flooding that took the lives of several Arkansas residents last week, we’re all reminded that our world could be turned upside down in a matter of minutes. Our hearts go out to the families affected by these floods.
A flood of this caliber is unusual for that area and residents reacted to the disaster as best they could. North Texas is not immune to the devastating effects of flash flooding either, and there is no better time than the present for us to become prepared should a strong storm bring flood waters to our area.
Redcross.org is a one-stop-shop for all things related to Preparedness including a whole page devoted to Flood Preparedness. Check out the Flood Safety Checklist which highlights how to prepare for a flood, how to react during a flood and how to recover from a flood.
An important thing to remember during a flood is that you’ll likely be without electricity. So battery operated equipment is essential: battery operated or hand-cranked radios and flashlights. If you find yourself stuck in your home after a flood, you’ll want a supply of food and water. The Red Cross recommends having a three-day supply.
Find these and many more helpful recommendations at www.redcross.org.
Ladies and gentlemen, your favorite parachute pant wearin’, old school rappin’, Surreal Life actin’, big time rap star MC Hammer is back on Twitter.
This time, he’s helping us out by tweeting to raise money for flood victims.
“The effectiveness of Twitter to connect has proven to be almost the go-to platform for some of the things that unfold around the world,” Hammer said. “When a disaster happens, this is a great way to mobilize people.When I saw what was going on, I wanted to do something. I started tweeting asking folks to contribute to American Red Cross… your feed becomes an extension of your personality.”
More than 90 percent of our total work is volunteers who carry on our humanitarian work of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. If you are interested in volunteering with us, click here.
We’ll see if A&E will bring back “Hammertime” next season, but until them… U can’t touch this!
This afternoon, a small administrative group of Red Cross volunteers and employees gathered in the Disaster Command Center to assess the impact of recent storms so far on the community. While the situation is constantly evolving and the extent of damage is still unknown, the American Red Cross is preparing for a long day.
Teams are finally able to head out and assess damage. We anxiously await their reports.
In addition, the City of Dallas has asked that a second shelter be opened in anticipation of families being forced from their homes by flooding. The second shelter will be at the Bachman Recreation Center, 2750 Bachman Drive, Dallas, TX 75220. This shelter will be open at 4:30p.m.
The shelter at Zaragoza has opened and so far, no victims have arrived.
NORTH DAKOTA - My name is Jolean Rook and I am serving with the American Red Cross in Fargo, North Dakota!
Being from Dallas, and on my first national deployment in Health Services, I have been so impressed with the magnitude of Red Cross aid going on here.
It's day three of ten for me and I am LOVING it. Right now the river seems to have crested at around 43 feet and right now it has gone down to 39.1; flooding is 18 feet so you can imagine the horrible conditions. To make matters worse, today, my partner and I are waiting out a blizzard!!
Health Services is doing so much. Yesterday we opened a new shelter to house and aid "special needs" and elderly individuals. They were so gracious and impressed. Tonight I will be going to another shelter closer to the river. We are hoping the dikes hold but if anything breaches that shelter will be able to take in 1,000 more people.
Locals have been SHOCKED that I would come all the way from Dallas just to help them, and several have asked me to just sit and talk to them because the Texas accent "blows them away". LOL. A gentlemen even stopped me in Wal-Mart to shake my hand and thank me...the Red Cross jacket was his first clue I was here to help, the "foreign" accent was his second!!
NORTH DAKOTA - My name is Jolean Rook and I am serving with the American Red Cross in Fargo, North Dakota!
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