The following has been released by the Red Cross:
Q. How is the Red Cross helping people affected by the flooding in Louisiana?
The flooding in Louisiana is likely the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The Red Cross has mobilized a massive relief effort to provide shelter, food and comfort. And we will continue to be there in the weeks and months as ahead, helping residents recover from this massive disaster.
As waters go down, the Red Cross is able to get into more and more neighborhoods, and volunteers are working tirelessly to provide assistance. Nearly 90 response vehicles are fanning out through affected neighborhoods to help distribute food, water and relief supplies such as personal hygiene items, insect repellant, cleaning kits and bleach. In partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, four kitchens are cooking meals. Since the onset of the flooding, the Red Cross and partners have served more than 260,000 meals and snacks. We have also distributed nearly 60,000 relief items.
More than 1,900 Red Crossers – including some virtual workers helping online – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are supporting Louisiana relief efforts. In addition, hundreds of local residents have volunteered.
Mental health disaster workers are visiting shelters to offer comfort. Health services volunteers are helping with things like lost eyeglasses and medications.
Q. What help is available at the shelters?
The shelters are providing for the immediate needs of those affected, including a safe place to stay and food to eat. Mental health disaster workers are visiting shelters to offer comfort. Health services volunteers are helping with things like lost eyeglasses and medications.
Q. What kind of services does the Red Cross provide after a disaster?
The Red Cross responds on the scene of emergencies to help provide for the urgent needs of disaster victims. Right after a disaster, we focus on providing safe shelter and feeding people. In the days to come, we will be offering emotional support and health services, and distributing emergency relief supplies such as comfort kits and cleaning supplies. But our work doesn’t end there; the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities get back on their feet.
Q. How long will this disaster response take?
According to meteorologists, more than 6.9 trillion gallons of rain – enough water to fill 10.4 million Olympic pools – deluged Louisiana last week. Local officials are reporting that as many as 110,000 homes may have been damaged. The Red Cross will be on the ground helping people for weeks to come as they get back on their feet.
Q. What is the cost of this disaster?
The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The Red Cross is mounting a massive relief operation, which is anticipated to cost at least $30 million – this number may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation. These estimates include the costs of providing food, shelter, blankets, cots, emotional support, health services, initial casework and relief supplies. It also includes some of the less visible costs that make relief possible including logistics, staff and technology expenses. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs including disaster relief and recovery.
The Red Cross urgently needs the public to join us in supporting Louisiana by making a financial donation today. Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
Q. How much has the Red Cross raised for Louisiana?
As of Aug. 22, the Red Cross has received approximately $7.8 million in designated donations and pledges to support Louisiana.
The Red Cross urgently needs the public to join us in supporting Louisiana by making a financial donation today. Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters.
Designated donations are the first dollars used to support Red Cross response efforts. If costs exceed designated donations, then Disaster Relief funds will be used to cover the difference.
Q. How is this the largest disaster since Superstorm Sandy?
The Red Cross has mobilized the largest sheltering and feeding effort since Superstorm Sandy to help people in Louisiana affected by the floods. We’re seeing the largest volume of people in need of emergency shelter in the last four years. And early planning estimates indicate we may need to serve more than one million meals over the next few weeks. In addition, FEMA has reported high numbers of people registering for emergency assistance from the government, which is another indicator of the tremendous need for help.
Q. How do the floods compare to Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina?
It’s not possible to estimate the full impact of the Louisiana floods this early in the response, and every disaster is different, so it would be difficult to make any comparison to past disasters. But we do know that this is going to be a massive response, and it is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. As of Aug. 22, the Red Cross has received approximately $7.8 million in donations and pledges designated to support Louisiana – not nearly enough to cover our costs of at least an estimated $30 million. The needs of the people of Louisiana are great, and we ask the public to please donate as generously as they can.
One week into this disaster, the Red Cross has mobilized the largest sheltering and feeding effort since Superstorm Sandy to help people in Louisiana affected by the floods. We’re seeing the largest volume of people in need of emergency shelter in the last four years. And, early planning estimates indicate we may need to serve more than one million meals over the next few weeks. In addition, FEMA has reported high numbers of people registering for emergency assistance from the government, which is another indicator of the tremendous need for help.
Since the onset of flooding in Louisiana, the Red Cross and partners have served more than 260,000 meals and snacks, and provided more than 40,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters. At the peak of the floods, more than 50 shelters provided safety for more than 10,000 people; Sunday night there were 19 Red Cross and community shelters open with nearly 3,000 people.
For comparison, during Superstorm Sandy the Red Cross served more than 17 million meals and snacks, and 74,000 overnight stays in shelters. During Katrina, the Red Cross served 68 million meals and snacks and provided 3.8 million overnight stays in shelters across 27 states.
Q. Is the Red Cross helping people affected by the wildfires out west?
Absolutely. The beauty of the Red Cross is that we have tens of thousands of volunteers. Even as we’re managing a massive relief operation in Louisiana, we’re also responding to wildfires in California and Washington. Additional volunteers and relief supplies are being mobilized in case they are needed. And the Red Cross is also coordinating closely with community and government partners to provide assistance.
OFFERS TO HELP
Q. How can people help?
Entire families have lost their homes and everything they own in this flooding. Join the Red Cross in supporting Louisiana by making a financial donation today. Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters.
Q. Will my donation stay in Louisiana?
The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donations made in support of a specific disaster will be used for that disaster.
Q. What do contributions to Louisiana Flooding pay for?
Financial donations for Red Cross Louisiana Flooding will help people affected by these devastating floods in Louisiana. Donations are used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance as well as supporting the vehicles, warehouses, technology and people that make that help possible.
Q. How can I volunteer?
People can make a difference in someone’s life by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. To join us, visit redcross.org today to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
Q. I want to help. Can I just go to Louisiana and volunteer my time?
Thank you for wanting to help the people in Louisiana. The situation there remains very challenging and the Red Cross recommends connecting with volunteer groups to learn about opportunities, and when volunteers are needed, before you to travel to the region independently.
If you would like to volunteer with the Red Cross, you can visit redcross.org to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application. This would allow you to not only help on large disasters like the flooding in Louisiana, but also when smaller disasters like home fires happen in your community.
The best and most immediate way you can help is to make a financial donation to support the Red Cross relief effort in Louisiana. Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters.
Q. Why does the Red Cross require me to register and fill out paperwork in order to volunteer?
The safety of the people we serve and the volunteers who help them is of utmost importance to the Red Cross. We have procedures in place to track who is volunteering for the Red Cross to help keep people safe. This includes running a background check on all volunteers who will work directly with the people who turn to us for help or have access to funds. Volunteers also sign an agreement to abide by our code of ethics and conduct.
Q. Does the Red Cross accept donations of goods?
The Red Cross only accepts large, bulk donations of new items if they are suitable to the needs of a specific disaster. We do not accept small quantities or collections of new or used products, like household goods, clothing or food. The Red Cross works closely with local community groups and organizations that do accept in-kind donations.
Q. Why won’t the Red Cross accept clothing donations or food or anything the public can give?
We cannot thank the people of Louisiana enough for their generous outpouring of support in the wake of the devastating floods. It is truly an amazing example of neighbors helping neighbors.
Please know that while we value these donations, we simply don’t have the capacity to sort and distribute donated clothing or inspect donated food and medicines to ensure they meet the safety guidelines required for the meals and medications we provide in our shelters. Unfortunately, there have been instances in previous disasters, where people became sick because these items were not inspected.
We do partner with other organizations to manage these generous donations. Partners through the Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) [ [http://lavoad.org/] are coordinating the receipt and distribution of donated items such as household goods and cleaning supplies.
Please remember that it takes time and money to sort, process, transport and then distribute donated items. Whereas financial donations allow families who have lost everything to make their own decisions about what they need most.
Q. Why won’t the Red Cross take small quantities of donated goods?
After a disaster, financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to the people who need it most. The Red Cross isn’t equipped to handle a large influx of donations like household items, clothing or food that may or may not be useful to victims. It takes time and money to sort, process, transport and then distribute donated items—whereas financial donations can be accessed quickly and put to use right away. Plus, financial donations allow us to be flexible in the help that we provide and ensure we can provide what people need most. As an added benefit, financial donations allow the Red Cross and disaster victims to purchase items locally, stimulating the economy of the disaster-affected area.
Even a small financial donation can go further than you might think. For instance, $2 can provide a snack to a child who just lost his or her home, and $10 can provide a hot meal to that same child. You can help people affected by disasters like the flooding in the south and countless other crises by making a donation to support 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, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Q. How much of my donation goes to helping disaster victims and how much goes to overhead?
An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs including disaster relief and recovery. All elements of our disaster program—from purchasing supplies to training volunteers to maintaining staff—play a role in directly helping disaster victims. We only use a small amount of every dollar for fundraising as well as management and general expenses that cross all program lines but are indispensable to conduct our activities.
SERVICES
Q. How do I find a Red Cross shelter and other help?
If you need the location of a shelter or other help, you should go to redcross.org and check the shelter map, or call 1-855-224-2490.
Q. How can I keep my family safe as we return home?
As some residents are being allowed back into their neighborhoods, the Red Cross has information to help keep people safe. Download the Red Cross Emergency App for safety tips and access to emergency first aid advice. Pre-loaded content ensures that guidance from Red Cross experts is available anytime, anywhere – even without mobile connectivity. The Emergency App is available for free in app stores for smartphones and tablets and can also be found by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org.
The Red Cross recommends the following safety tips as people return home:
Return home only when officials have declared the area safe.
Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage.
Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports.
Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes, which may have come into your home with the floodwater.
If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.
Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.
Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out.
Contact your local or state public health department to see if your water supply might be contaminated. You may need to boil or treat it before use. Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
OTHER ISSUES AND HOT TOPICS
Q. Can anyone go to the Red Cross for help during a disaster?
As one of the nation’s oldest and largest humanitarian organizations, we are committed to diversity and inclusion in all that we do, every day. The American Red Cross is guided by the fundamental principles, including impartiality and neutrality. To this end, the Red Cross makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. In addition, in order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross does not take sides in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Did you know…
That nearly 200 times a day, the Red Cross helps a family affected by a home fire or other disaster?
Or that, nearly 5,600 times a day, someone receives a Red Cross blood transfusion?
Or that, every day the Red Cross provides nearly 1,000 services to military members and their families?
Or that, with the help of partners, the Red Cross helps vaccinate 308,000 children a day, globally, against measles or rubella?
Or that, on average, 15,500 people a day learn how to save a life through Red Cross health and safety training and mobile app downloads?
Even when there is no big disaster on the news, the Red Cross is still working hard every day to help people whenever and wherever they need it. And we couldn’t be there without your support.
Q. Why is the Red Cross turning away people who want to pray with flood victims?
We have been so moved by the outpouring of care and kindness we’ve witnessed among Louisiana residents, especially during such a traumatic time. At the Red Cross, our priority is also providing comfort to the many residing at our shelters. This often includes providing disaster mental health and spiritual care.
Please know people in the shelters are welcome to pray and gather among themselves.
We recognize and are sensitive to the fact that hundreds of people from different backgrounds are often sharing a large space with limited privacy. It is of the utmost importance that we respect people’s individual needs, backgrounds and beliefs in accordance with our Fundamental Principles, which state that we bring assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion.
With this in mind, and for the safety of our shelter residents, we do have policies in place on who can enter shelters to ensure that people have private, secure place to stay as much as possible.
Q. Why don’t I see the Red Cross responding in my community?
It’s likely that the Red Cross is responding to the disaster in your community but they may be working behind the scenes. Depending on which agencies are responsible for disaster response, the Red Cross could be sharing duties with other groups or supporting the response efforts with people, supplies, expertise or funding. For example, the Red Cross could be providing cots and blankets to a shelter run by another group or it could have provided training so a church or civic group could run a shelter on its own.
Q. Can the Red Cross respond to multiple large disasters at the same time?
Each year the Red Cross responds to nearly 66,000 disasters across the U.S., so it’s not unusual for us to be responding to simultaneous events. The Red Cross works year-round to be ready to respond effectively to disasters of any size. That’s why it’s so critical for us to have the resources and support to maintain a network of more than 58,000 trained disaster workers and a nationwide warehousing network stocked with relief supplies.
Q. What is the Red Cross doing to meet the needs of children, the elderly and people with disabilities?
The Red Cross provides services to people with a wide range of needs during a disaster, and our shelter workers try to ensure that everyone who comes to the Red Cross gets the best possible help.
Red Cross health services and mental health workers are present in shelters to tend to the good health and well-being of all residents. These workers assess health needs, provide or assist with care as needed, and replace medications, supplies and equipment that may have been lost or destroyed during the disaster. Health services workers encourage residents to wash their hands, cover their coughs and dispose of tissues properly to prevent infection. They also are available to assist people with care for common ailments and injuries. Red Cross mental health workers help to promote resiliency and good coping skills.
In addition, The Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have developed a shelter resident intake form that helps workers have confidential conversations with individuals and families about additional support, supplies or information they may need during a stay in our shelter. The form asks questions about the immediate needs of the person and how much assistance a person needs. Red Cross workers then interview each person or family in the shelter to learn what kind of care might be needed in the coming days and weeks.
Q. Does the Red Cross admit people with disabilities into shelters?
Absolutely. In fact, we will do everything possible to ensure that individuals with disabilities or people with access and functional needs feel comfortable in our shelters. The Red Cross works with community partners, including government and non-governmental agencies, to help people after disasters.
Q. What kinds of services can the Red Cross offer to people with disabilities in shelters?
The Red Cross strives to make all Red Cross shelter services available to everyone who needs them, whether or not they have a disability. When a person with a disability or access and functional needs comes to a Red Cross shelter, a worker will have a confidential conversation with them about their specific needs and how we can address them.
The Red Cross routinely provides support such as helping a person move from a wheelchair to a cot, cutting food, or navigating a cafeteria-style food service line. In many shelters, we can provide items such as shower stools, commode chairs and larger-sized cots that make shelters safer and more
comfortable for people. The Red Cross works with local community partners to identify services that might be needed in shelters and tap into those resources when necessary. And because stress can affect anyone, the Red Cross also has disaster mental health workers available to help people cope.
Q. How is the Red Cross working to help pet owners?
In most communities, the Red Cross works with animal rescue groups to ensure that shelter residents and others in the community have a place to take pets. We encourage all of our chapters to assemble referral lists of pet friendly hotels, kennels, veterinarians, and animal welfare agencies that can accept pets during a disaster. In addition, we can support pet shelters by providing food, cots, blankets and first aid to the people who staff pet shelters.
The Red Cross is also a proud member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) which helps develop collaborative solutions to animal disaster response activities in coordination with emergency management officials. As a member of NARSC, the Red Cross works alongside groups such as the American Humane Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to coordinate disaster relief.
Q. Will the Red Cross shelter family pets during a disaster?
The Red Cross will work with other agencies in the community to make sure shelter residents have resources for their pets. Often, that means animals must be housed in a separate area from their owners. Red Cross shelters must accommodate a wide range of people. Along with infants, children and the elderly, we may also have people with pet allergies, asthma, or other health issues, and people with a fear of animals. For the well-being of all people who turn to the Red Cross for help after a disaster, there often needs to be physical space between animals and people.
Service animals for people with disabilities are an exception. Service animals are not considered pets and they may stay with their owner in Red Cross shelters. Shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate service animals comfortably.