Local volunteers help relief efforts on the Coast

10.05.2010

The American Red Cross continues to respond with help to people affected by winds, rains and flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Nicole in North Carolina. Two Red Cross shelters remain open (18 were open at the height of the storm) in North Carolina to help those displaced from their homes by rising floodwaters. Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to ensure that families have a safe place to stay, as well as meals and snacks.

The Carolina Piedmont Region of the Red Cross has deployed 21 volunteers to help with relief coordination and mass care:

• The Burke County Chapter has several volunteers on standby;
  
• The Cabarrus County Chapter has sent one volunteer;
  
• The Catawba Valley Chapter (Catawba, Caldwell and Alexander counties) has sent four people;
  
• The Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter (Rowan County) has sent two people;
  
• The Gaston County Chapter has sent three people;
  
• The Greater Carolinas Chapter (Mecklenburg and Iredell counties) has sent 11 people.

The Red Cross has provided nearly 500 meals, more than 1,700 snacks and more than 130 clean-up kits since the beginning of the storm.

Today, the Red Cross will be assessing damage left by the storm and helping people as they begin to clean up. More than 120 Red Cross disaster workers have been deployed to North Carolina to support efforts there, along with 10 emergency response vehicles loaded with snacks, drinks, comfort kits and cleaning kits. The Red Cross was able to respond immediately to the needs of those affected because of our readiness efforts ahead of the storm.
The Red Cross has steps people should take to remain safe if their neighborhood is affected by flooding:

• 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.
  

About the American Red Cross:
You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. 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 http://www.redcrosshelps.org or join our blog at http://redcrosshelps.org/crossblog.