SC Red Cross Volunteers Assisting with Disaster Relief in Louisiana

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.,  — Sixteen American Red Cross volunteers and staff are deploying to Louisiana to support Red Cross relief efforts after excessive rainfall has resulted in moderate to heavy flooding across many parts of Louisiana. The Red Cross is closely coordinating with emergency management to open and support shelters as people are quickly forced to flee from their homes. Last night nearly 3,000 people spent the night at more than 30 Red Cross and partner shelters.

The Red Cross disaster services volunteers from South Carolina bring a variety of specialized disaster response skills to the team that is coming together from across the country to assist those impacted by the floods. Some of the work will include operating shelters to house families displaced by floods, logistics and managing the overall disaster response, and working within government operations.

“Our volunteers are dedicated to helping families when they need it most, whether here in their local community or across the country,” said Louise Welch Williams, regional chief executive officer for the Red Cross in South Carolina. “When they heard that help was needed in Louisiana, they immediately volunteered to assist the people displaced by the flooding.”

At least 10,000 people remain without power and the storm system continues to hamper access to many areas. The governor of Louisiana has declared a state of emergency. Local emergency management has activated emergency response teams and are conducting water rescues as well as evacuating communities. As many as 1,000 water rescues have been reported. At least 3,000 homes could be impacted.

Over the next several days, the Red Cross will work closely with its community partners and local government to support the needs of the affected communities. This includes setting up and supporting shelter operations to provide a safe and dry place to stay; providing meals and needed comfort and relief items; offering emotional and health support; conducting damage assessments and identifying community needs, coordinating with local government and community partners to meet the needs of the affected areas; and communicating with the public, partners, and clients on the importance of preparedness information and how to deal with the disaster from potential flooding, what to do during floods and what to do after a flood.

In addition, two Red Crossers are deploying to Maryland to assist families affected by a large apartment fire this week.

VOLUNTEERING: By volunteering with the American Red Cross, you can truly make a difference. Those interested in volunteering should visit www.redcross.org/sc to start their volunteer application or to learn more. Without volunteers the Red Cross would not be able to respond, both locally and across the country. Volunteers with the Red Cross can set flexible schedules in volunteer positions that appeal to their specific skills or interests.

HOW TO HELP Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like flooding and countless other crises can make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/sc  or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossSC