WASHINGTON, Monday, May 09, 2011 — Forecasters are predicting catastrophic flooding may occur along the Mississippi River in the next few days, and the American Red Cross is ramping up to help people along the river as efforts continue to assist thousands of people in tornado-ravaged communities across the South.

The Red Cross estimates the costs of its responses to the April tornadoes, flooding and other disasters since March 31 could reach $31 million—with the response to the Mississippi River flooding expected to drive relief expenses even higher. As of Thursday, May 5, the Red Cross had raised about $16 million for disaster response since March 31.

These disaster costs are in addition to the approximately $378 million that the Red Cross must raise annually to respond to more than 65,000 disasters each year.

“We’re gearing up to respond to major flooding along the Mississippi River,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Red Cross workers and supplies are already on the way there, even as we continue to provide for the people affected by the tornadoes.”

The Red Cross is preparing to launch a prolonged shelter and feeding operation for people living along the Mississippi, sending in leadership teams, calling down disaster workers and pre-positioning thousands of cots, blankets and other relief supplies. More than 400 Red Cross workers already are in Memphis to support efforts there and in other nearby communities. Experts are warning that flood waters could remain in areas for as long as two weeks, forcing people to stay in shelters for more than a month.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 Red Cross workers are providing meals, shelter, hygiene and cleanup supplies and health and mental health services to people affected by the recent tornadoes.

The Red Cross has launched 20 separate relief operations over more than half of the United States since March 31, responding to disasters from North Dakota to the East Coast and all throughout the South. Since the end of March, the Red Cross has opened more than 170 shelters and provided more than 13,000 overnight stays, serving more than 1.2 million meals and snacks to people affected by wildfires, flooding and tornadoes.

The Red Cross urges people living in and around the Mississippi River to get prepared now. If their neighborhood is threatened, they should:

Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for the area, head for higher ground and stay there.
Stay away from floodwaters. If someone comes upon a flowing stream where water is above their ankles, they should stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep a person off of their feet.
If someone comes upon a flooded road while driving, they should turn around and go another way. If caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around them, they should 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.
People should know what the warnings mean. A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in the area. If a flood watch is issued, people should move their furniture and valuables to higher floors of their home. People should keep their vehicle’s gas tank full in case they have to evacuate.

A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in the area. If a flood warning is issued, listen to local radio and television stations for information. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

Thousands of people have been affected by these disasters. Please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies 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.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have lost loved ones or suffered through these deadly storms. The Red Cross is helping people now and will still be helping them in the weeks ahead as they try to get back on their feet.

• The severe spring weather isn’t over yet and heavy thunderstorms are expected throughout the Mississippi and Ohio river basins, bringing the potential for flash flooding to the region.
• Possible flooding has lead to the evacuation of more than 2,800 people from Cairo, Illinois.

Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern visited tornado-ravaged Alabama and Mississippi over the weekend.

• She described the incredible destruction and pledged that the Red Cross will do whatever is possible to ease the suffering of those affected by the tornadoes. She also thanked the American public for their support.

Our top priority is to provide food, shelter and relief supplies to the thousands of people affected by these storms.

• More than 980 people spent Sunday night in Red Cross shelters in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia.
• More than 120 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are distributing meals across seven states. Toiletries and clean-up supplies are also being given out.
• Kitchens are being set up with organizations like the Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Convention to prepare meals to hand out in the affected neighborhoods. More than 513,000 meals and snacks have been distributed since March 31.
• The Red Cross has sent in more than 130,000 ready-to-eat meals and thousands of supplies like blankets, toiletries, gloves, rakes, tarps and shovels. We are also moving items for persons with access and functional needs, such as universal cots, shower chairs and commode risers.
• Since the beginning of April, more than 3,700 Red Cross workers have assisted with relief and recovery efforts in 16 states on 20 separate relief operations.

Red Cross nurses and mental health workers are helping people cope with this tragedy.

• Our staff has provided more than 6,200 health and mental health consultations.
• Emergency aid stations are being set up in major damage areas.
• Our health services workers are assisting people who have lost medications or items like eyeglasses.
• Red Cross Blood Services is moving hundreds of blood products to the area to make sure hospital patients have the blood they need. The blood supply is stable, but tragic events like these are a reminder of the importance of a sufficient blood supply each and every day.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Please consider making a donation today to help the thousands of people who have been affected by these disasters.

• Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
• Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• Any donation, large or small, will help. For example, $3 can provide a comfort kit for someone in a disaster. $6 can cover the cost of a blanket, $10 the cost of a hot meal. For $150, someone’s donation can cover the cost of providing food and shelter to a family of four for a day they spend in a shelter.

The Red Cross Safe and Well secure Web site is a way to let your loved ones know you are safe and to find information about people in the affected areas. To register, visit www.redcross.org and click on the “List Yourself or Search Registrants” link under “How to Get Help”.

• People in the affected areas can list themselves as “safe and well” on the site. Friends and family outside the disaster area can then search for messages from their loved ones by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address.
• Disaster victims can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well Web site.
• From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for friends and family” link.
• From any phone call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and one of our operators can help you register.

STATISTICS

Since March 31, more than 3,700 Red Cross workers have assisted with relief and recovery efforts in 20 separate relief operations in 16 states.

Since that time, the Red Cross has:

• Served more than 513,000 meals and snacks; nearly 170,000 in Alabama alone.
• Opened more than 120 shelters; 23 have been in Alabama.
• Provided more than 8,300 overnight stays; almost 4,000 have been in Alabama.
• Made more than 6,200 health and mental health contacts.
• Distributed more than 97,000 bulk items.
• Deployed 128 of our 322 Emergency Response Vehicles to assist with mobile feeding in seven states; with 62 in Alabama with an additional 17 being deployed.
• Deployed nine emergency communications response vehicles to six states to assist with Red Cross communications assistance; four vehicles are in Alabama.

The physical needs created by a disaster—for food and shelter—are relatively straightforward. But as entire communities deal with what nature has wrought, getting back a sense of security and stability may be an even greater battle.

On Friday night, more than 1100 people spent the night in American Red Cross shelters across multiple states, including more than 700 in hard-hit Alabama.

In addition to giving people a safe place to stay, the Red Cross will have more than 115,000 ready-to-eat meals and thousands of relief supply items to distribute in Alabama over the next three days. The Red Cross has 61 emergency response vehicles in the state that will be traveling through neighborhoods to help residents.

Behind these large aggregate numbers are individuals whose world has been turned upside down and who are seeking to put their lives back together again. Here are some of their stories.

Searching for Pieces of a Former Life
In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Ashla Sullivan, 26, says that she and her husband do not have a plan right now, but they know that they’re homeless. “I’m still numb,” Sullivan says while picking through the rubble, looking for wedding gifts and other personal belongings that she can salvage from the wreckage.

The tornado tore apart Sullivan’s home and her new life, having only married last November. Sullivan, her husband and their pug dog “Moe” rode out the storm in the bathroom and emerged to see their home and their neighborhood in pieces. Now, strangers have shown up to assist her with recovering what’s left of her home.

In Alberta City, a neighborhood on the east side of Tuscaloosa, Rickey McGee, 54, sifts through pieces of sheet rock and other debris looking for anything that he can save. McGee and his two sons survived the storm, but several neighbors did not. “I heard the wind,” he said. “I knew it was coming.”

McGee’s house is gone, but his Alberta City neighborhood in Tuscaloosa is still home. “We will rebuild,” he says.

Others, like Nate Taylor, say that they will not return to this neighborhood.

Taylor, 42, wipes tears from his face while talking about what’s left of his home in Tuscaloosa. “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life,” Taylor said, while working as quickly as he could before nightfall to retrieve personal belongings that will help restart life for him, his wife and two children.

What breaks Taylor’s heart most is knowing that his efforts to save a grandmother and two children down the street were unsuccessful. Bewildered and still in shock, Taylor hopes to recover necessary medications that his wife needs every day.

Local church members have provided Taylor and his family with a temporary home, but many others do not have this help and are relying on the American Red Cross to provide them with a safe and warm place to stay.

Those staying at Red Cross shelters receive regular meals, emotional support, first aid and basic health care. Many also receive lots of hugs, which are for some the most important Red Cross assistance of all.

Someone to Lean On, in Good Times and Bad
In one Clarke County, Miss., neighborhood, the same powerful tornado took lives from one family, yet left another across the highway relatively unscathed.

Red Cross workers are there to mourn with those that lost loved ones, assist them with funeral arrangements and check on their health and mental health needs. The emotions run so deep that often there are no words—but there is always a shoulder to cry on.

Another family huddled in their bathroom as the tornado roared toward them and destroyed their home. Miraculously, they escaped with only scratches.

The day after the storm, the teenage boys in the family rejoiced as they discovered music players and video games still in working condition, and their parents marveled at a 100-year-old dresser and mirror still standing without a crack.

Red Cross workers were there to experience a lighter moment with this family, sharing a laugh as one teenage son joked around. They all just express gratitude to still be alive, and now the Red Cross will help them move forward.

In the days ahead, the Red Cross will continue to focus on providing not only shelter, food and supplies for disaster survivors, but also much-needed emotional support. Wherever families are—in a shelter or in their neighborhoods to pick up the pieces—the Red Cross will also be there in this time of need.

How the Public Can Help

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help people affected by disasters like wildfires, floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, and people can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies 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.

Here at the SEM Chapter we are on standby and ready to send volunteers and other assistance as needed to help with relief efforts in the south.  Please visit us at semredcross.org for the lastest on how you can help!

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2011 — The American Red Cross is helping thousands of people after Wednesday’s deadly tornadoes destroyed neighborhoods throughout the southern region of the country.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who lost loved ones or have suffered through these deadly storms,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Red Cross disaster teams are working around the clock to help the thousands of people whose lives are turned upside down. More Red Cross assistance is on the way.”

“Our top priority right now is to provide food and shelter to the thousands of people throughout the South and Midwest affected by these storms,” Shimanski said, adding that the Red Cross is also distributing relief supplies and providing emotional support and basic health services to disaster survivors.

Hardest hit was Alabama, where Governor Robert Bentley has activated National Guard troops to help in the devastated areas. The Red Cross is sending disaster workers, materials, blood products and equipment into the state. Nearly 40 emergency response vehicles are on the way, along with 25,000 ready-to-eat meals. Red Cross Blood Services is moving hundreds of blood products into the area, and Red Cross nurses and mental health workers are being deployed to help people cope with the aftermath of this disaster.

More than 1,600 people sought refuge in 65 Red Cross shelters Wednesday night as the storms forced them from their homes. Red Cross shelters are open in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas.

“Tornadoes and floods have devastated communities and uprooted families across many states, and the Red Cross is working hand-in-hand with our federal and community partners to get assistance to people in need and help them recover,” Shimanski said.

More than half of the country has been affected by this continuous band of damaging weather, disrupting people’s lives from North Dakota to the East Coast. In the last several weeks, Red Cross disaster workers have provided thousands of overnight stays in shelters, distributed thousands of clean-up and comfort kits and served hundreds of thousands of meals and snacks.

The Red Cross is able to respond quickly when emergencies happen with the help of corporations who are members of the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). ADGP members pledge donations on an ongoing basis to allow the Red Cross to pre-position supplies and be ready to take immediate action when disasters occur.

ADGP members include Walmart, UPS, UnitedHealthcare, The TJX Companies, Inc., Target, State Street Foundation, State Farm, Southwest Airlines, Ryder Charitable Foundation, Northrup Grumman, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Morgan Stanley, Merck, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; Kraft Foods; Kimberly-Clark Corporation, John Deere Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, GE Foundation, FedEx Corporation, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Darden Restaurants, Inc, ConAgra Foods, Cisco Foundation, Aon, Altria and 3M.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster, both here in the United States and around the world. Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. To make a donation, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies 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.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 — The American Red Cross today announced that the public has generously donated $120.5 million to help the people of Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The announcement was made Tuesday at a press conference at the Japanese embassy with Japan’s Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki and American Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.

Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki, and American Red Cross Chairman, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, reflect on the March 11 earthquake and tsunami for media attending a news conference at Japan's Embassy in Washington, DC. Chairman McElveen-Hunter with Japanese Amb. Fujisaki announces donations top $120 million for Japan.The money will go to the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response, specifically the Japanese Red Cross, which is providing direct emergency relief, medical services and emotional counseling to affected communities. The American Red Cross committed an initial $10 million in the early days after the disaster and will provide the Japanese Red Cross with another $50 million in the next few days. The remainder of the funds will be made available as they come in.

In addition to the funds provided to support work by the Japanese Red Cross, the American Red Cross has given $500,000 to the United Nation’s World Food Programme for logistics support for the delivery and storage of relief items for survivors. The American Red Cross also has been assisting in the voluntary evacuations of military families from Japan.

“Almost three weeks after one of the most devastating earthquakes in history, we are immensely grateful to the American public for their continued generosity,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross. “As part of the world’s largest humanitarian organization, the American Red Cross is eager to support our counterparts in the Japanese Red Cross, whose staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to meet the immense needs of their people.”

“The American public and we at the American Red Cross have not forgotten the generosity of the Japanese people when we suffered tremendous loss after the 9/11 attacks and, more recently, after Hurricane Katrina,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross. “Collectively, the Japanese Red Cross sent us contributions of close to $30 million. Now it is our opportunity – and our duty – to do what we can to help you.”

The American Red Cross expects these funds will be used to fund immediate relief activities such as providing supplies and medical care. Over time, it is likely that some of the contributions will be used for longer-term recovery. The American Red Cross has been in close contact with its partners in the Asia Pacific region since the earthquake to offer its support. The Japanese Red Cross has expressed its gratitude for the support of the American people and the American Red Cross.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million registered volunteers, many of whom have responded to help their neighbors affected by the earthquake, tsunami and evolving nuclear emergency.

Red Cross volunteers and staff in Japan continue to provide health care, emotional support activities and relief items to people affected. The Japanese Red Cross has dozens of medical teams operating in Red Cross hospitals and mobile clinics treating those affected by the disasters.

Immediately after the earthquake and tsunami, the Red Cross dispatched relief items from stocks to assist those affected, and has provided 125,500 blankets and 25,000 emergency kits. The Red Cross is increasing its relief operations for survivors in evacuation centers and is planning to provide supplies for 100,000 people. It is also working with local authorities on ways to help people still living in evacuation centers.

Overall, the conditions for survivors appear to be improving: the number of people in shelters in Japan has dropped to 244,000 from what had been the high of nearly half a million. More supplies and fuel are also reaching affected areas. However, the needs are still overwhelming and uncertainty around several Japanese nuclear reactors and associated health risks remains a major concern.

The American Red Cross also has been assisting in the voluntary evacuations of military families from Japan. Over the past week, American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces staff stationed at military installations in the Far East assisted with the voluntary departures of military families from Japan. The Red Cross helped register departees, escorted people and assisted in military sheltering operations.

American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces staff also provided a range of support including: canteen services; registering passengers; helping people find out where to secure all the required military clearances; and assisting people to the aircraft. Once the families reached the U.S., Red Cross staff was also on hand to provide families food, snacks and comfort items.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies 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.