Red Cross Responds to Irene
In the wake of Hurricane Irene, thousands of people have turned to the American Red Cross for help. Many communities from North Carolina to New England are suffering from significant flooding, wind damage and widespread power outages. We are putting the full force of the Red Cross into action to provide relief. Our response to this storm could last for weeks, helping people get back on their feet.
Right now, our main focus is to continue providing people with shelter and food. Last night, the Red Cross operated or supported approximately 340 shelters with more than 8,600 residents from North Carolina to New England. This number will fluctuate as we go through this disaster. Since Friday, we’ve provided more than 48,000 overnight shelter stays.
We’ve also made arrangements to have about 1.3 million meals available in North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and New York through our partners. We have approximately 260 feeding vehicles ready to go into neighborhoods. We’ve engaged every Red Cross feeding truck east of the Rocky Mountains in this relief effort.
The footprint left behind by Irene is huge, stretching out larger than the size of the European continent. The cost of our response will be millions. People who can help are encouraged to click, text or call to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit http://www.redcross.org/ , call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that people in affected areas consider donating blood once it’s safe to do so. The blood supply was already low before the storm and Irene has already caused the cancellation of more than 60 blood drives resulting in a shortfall of more than 2,100 blood donations over the past few days. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org.
Right now, our main focus is to continue providing people with shelter and food. Last night, the Red Cross operated or supported approximately 340 shelters with more than 8,600 residents from North Carolina to New England. This number will fluctuate as we go through this disaster. Since Friday, we’ve provided more than 48,000 overnight shelter stays.
We’ve also made arrangements to have about 1.3 million meals available in North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and New York through our partners. We have approximately 260 feeding vehicles ready to go into neighborhoods. We’ve engaged every Red Cross feeding truck east of the Rocky Mountains in this relief effort.
The footprint left behind by Irene is huge, stretching out larger than the size of the European continent. The cost of our response will be millions. People who can help are encouraged to click, text or call to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit http://www.redcross.org/ , call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that people in affected areas consider donating blood once it’s safe to do so. The blood supply was already low before the storm and Irene has already caused the cancellation of more than 60 blood drives resulting in a shortfall of more than 2,100 blood donations over the past few days. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org.
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