June 2007 Texas Floods

Red Cross Disaster Assistance Center Opens

Margaret — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:44:27 +0000

MARBLE FALLS – July 2, 2007 – The American Red Cross continues to provide assistance to victims of the recent floods in Burnet, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties and is operating a disaster assistance center in Marble Falls to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected.

Since assistance for flood victims began Saturday, more than 70 Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Central Texas area as far away as Maine have helped more than 60 families with emergency assistance including bottled water, snacks, mental health services, cleaning tools such as rakes and shovels, and connections with appropriate agencies for additional support.

The following outlines additional statistics for those served from the disaster assistance center to date:

Families served:60+S
Snacks provided 419
Clean-up items 145
Mobile feeding vehicles (Emergency Response Vehicles)4
Red Cross volunteers and staff 70

In addition, Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) have traveled throughout the Marble Falls and Granite Shoals areas to distribute clean water and food and inform residents of the resources available at the disaster center. All residents affected by the floods are encouraged to call the flood information hotline at (830) 265-4572 or visit the disaster assistance center.

WHO: All victims affected by the recent flooding. WHAT:Disaster assistance center where flood victims will meet one-on-one with Red Cross case workers to met emergency service needs; obtain snacks, clean water for washing and bottled water for drinking; obtain cleaning supplies such as rakes and shovels; and more

WHERE: Marble Falls Elementary School gymnasium, 2001 Broadway

WHEN: Open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until all immediate emergency needs are met.

NOTE:Those seeking assistance are asked to bring a photo I.D. and proof of address of the affected residence.

CONTACT: Marble Falls Flood Information Hotline: (830) 265-4572

The American Red Cross thanks local media outlets for communicating the availability of these resources to local residents. For media relations questions, please contact Claudia McWhorter at (512) 413-0021.

Information for Media and Affected Residents

Margaret — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:22:09 +0000

Red Cross services are provided in English or Spanish,

free of charge to disaster affected residents

Contact Info

Assistance: Gainesville Civic Ctr, 1000 Medal of Honor Dr. 903. 465.1330 Texoma Red Cross Chapter

Volunteer: 903. 465.1330 Texoma Red Cross Chapter

Donate: 1-800-REDCROSS (733-2767)

Media Inquiries: call 571.226.8063 or 202. 412.1178

Shelter: Whaley Methodist Church 701 Rosedale

SERVICES

American Red Cross services can include, but not limited to

Food/Water, Safe Shelter, Minor First Aid
Crisis Counseling for adults and children
Clean-up supplies like brooms, bleach, mops, and trashbags
Personal hygiene supplies like toothpaste, deodorant and soap
Assistance for families who have disaster-caused needs
Replacement of lost medications
One-on-One interviews with Red Cross caseworkers

Note – The Red Cross cannot accept donations of material goods except in very large quantities and on pallettized

Si usted necesita ayuda por favor comuníquese a los siguientes números telefónicos:

Obtener asistencia: (940) 665-4365

Voluntarios: (940) 665-4365

Donaciones: 1 (800) REDCROSS (733-2767)

Información de prensa: Relaciones Públicas (571) 226-8063 / (202) 412-1178 celular

Centro de Servicio: Centro Cívico de la Ciudad de Gainsville (940) 668-4530

Albergue: Iglesia Metodista Whaley (202) 550-2226 / (202) 258-6253

Servicios ofrecidos:La Cruz Roja Americana puede proveer los siguientes servicios: Alimentos diarios – Desayuno, Comida y Cena) Albergue seguro y con servicios básicos (regaderas y sanitarios) Primeros auxilios Terapia para niños, adultos y familias Artículos de limpieza tales como cubetas, cepillos, cloro, guantes, etc Artículos de aseo personal tales como desodorante, cepillo de dientes, jabón, etc. Ayuda económica para las familias que sufrieron daños debido al desastre. Ayuda económica para reemplazar medicamentos. Entrevistas individuales con un trabajador social Nota: La Cruz Roja no puede aceptar donaciones materiales. ** Todos los servicios son ofrecidos en ingles y en español

Fast Facts

Ike Pigott — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:17:40 +0000

Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation at a Glance Numbers as of End of Day 7/01/2007
	Last 24 Hours	To Date
Total Cases Opened	19	634
Number of Clients Served	7	2,595
Meals and Snacks Served	2,061	58,068
Clean Up Kits Distributed	15	1,002
Comfort Kits Distributed	2	920
Bulk Items Distributed to Clients	300	2,399
Mobile Feeding Units	6	18
Mental Health Contacts	99	803
Health Services Contacts	63	610
Shelters Open	2	12
Total Volunteers and Staff Assigned	123	379

Red Cross Extends Hand to Flooded North Texas

Cameron Ballantyne — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:12:34 +0000

June 21, 2007 – Gainesville, Texas - Residents coming to Red Cross shelters throughout north central Texas have been up to their armpits in water for more days than they care to remember. Response volunteers from throughout the state and beyond have been homing in the affected communities organizing an enormous relief operation that will cost the organization more than $300,000 to support. The money will be used to feed, clothe and shelter thousands of Texans who have lost more than their homes – they’ve seen their crops and animals destroyed, some have even lost family members in this violent weather.

The American Red Cross continues to respond to the needs of these communities with personnel and material assets, as well as health and psychological support. The resources of the national organization are brought to bear in disasters in such as this and that is the reason for the Disaster Relief Fund which makes deployment of volunteers and paid staff possible – sometimes before the disaster has occurred. The Disaster Relief Fund is a pool of funds come to Red Cross, free of strings, to disperse in on any disaster. When people make a donation to Red Cross in response to a disaster like these North Texas floods, they often specify that the funds are to be used for that disaster. That limitation is removed when a person writes a check or makes a donation to the “Disaster Relief Fund”. That allows the American Red Cross to use the funds as necessary.

The warehouses, food supplies, vehicles and electronic communications that are necessary to field an operation such as the North Texas floods require funding year around in order to be available quickly to those who need it most. The floods, coupled with tornadoes in the Killeen-Copperas Cove area will put a dent in the overall fund which must be replenished to meet the hurricane season and other unforeseen emergencies.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of the North Texas floods and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 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.

Welcome

Ike Pigott — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:58:51 +0000

All of this information is available to the public. It is designed to provide media with the latest information about the American Red Cross response to the floods of June 2007. Latest information is provided about how those affected can get help and how their neighbors can help.