American Red Cross Supports Communities Across the Country in Their Battles Against Flood Waters

WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With flooding occurring or threatened in several parts of the United States, the American Red Cross is responding with meals, snacks and support.

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In the Midwest, as the Red River waters rise again this spring, the American Red Cross is supporting residents of Minnesota and North Dakota who are dealing with the flood threats.

"We're hoping the river doesn't reach last year's record levels. But regardless of what happens, the Red Cross will be there to help everyone who is affected by this disaster," said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services at the Red Cross.

The Minn-Kota Chapter of the Red Cross has been supporting residents all week as they formed sandbag brigades along the Red River. So far, the Red Cross has served more than 38,000 meals and snacks to citizens helping in this effort. The Red Cross is also distributing clean-up kits and has disaster mental health staff on hand to support community members, letting families know what to expect physically and emotionally in the days ahead.

The Northeast has also been hard hit by floods, as heavy rains drenched the region last weekend. The Red Cross has opened shelters in Connecticut, New Jersey, West Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, along with providing meals, health services and emotional support to residents. The Red Cross is also distributing clean-up and comfort kits to people whose homes were flooded.

Floods are the most common, costly and deadly severe weather each year in the United States. The public can get the facts on how to be prepared for flooding and other emergencies at www.redcross.org.  

Time is of the essence in any disaster. Donations to the American Red Cross by members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) allow the Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost.

ADGP members include Altria Group, Inc., American Express, AXA Foundation, ConAgra Foods, FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, General Motors Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Merck, Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Raytheon, Ryder Charitable Foundation, State Farm, State Street Foundation, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc., UnitedHealthcare and UPS.

About the American Red Cross:
Help people affected by disasters like the recent floods, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross