American Red Cross Expects Hurricane Irene Response to Continue for Weeks

The Red Cross

Seeking Financial Donations in the Aftermath of the Storm

IOWA, August 30, 2011 — With communities from North Carolina to New England suffering from significant flooding, wind damage and widespread power outages from Hurricane Irene, the American Red Cross is responding with shelter, food and other assistance.

“Now that the storm is over, our volunteers are anxious to help with recovery efforts,” said Tammie Pech, Red Cross spokesperson. “We expect this disaster relief operation to be a very large operation that will continue for several weeks.” As of this afternoon, 79 volunteers from across Iowa have been sent to the East Coast to provide relief. “Our volunteers are helping mostly with sheltering, providing food and comfort to those affected by the storm,” stated Pech.

Saturday night, the Red Cross was operating in more than 500 shelters, providing shelter for more than 27,000 people, and still had 300 shelters open for 8,000 people Sunday night. Since Friday, the Red Cross has provided more than 48,000 overnight shelter stays.

In Irene’s wake, thousands of people have turned to the Red Cross for help, and Red Cross workers are responding. The Red Cross has more than 250 feeding vehicles—or more than two-thirds its entire fleet—ready to go into neighborhoods to provide hot meals. Every Red Cross feeding truck east of the Rocky Mountains has been mobilized for this relief effort, including 5 from Iowa.

Those who want to help can click or text to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations can be made by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS, or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions can also be sent to local Red Cross areas or mailed to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.