Two Red Cross shelters remain open in St. Louis City and St. Louis County

St. Louis, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 - Hundreds of volunteers from the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter have provided shelter, food and health services to local residents without power, while responding to more than 26 local fires following a severe winter storm last week.

Since opening five emergency shelters to accommodate residents during extended power outages, the Red Cross has sheltered 1,219 people and served 12,549 meals and snacks over five nights. The Red Cross continues to partner with emergency management officials, the National Guard and many local municipalities and agencies to provide assistance, including the Southern Baptists, Missouri Convention to prepare as many as 1,000 meals a day.

Two Red Cross shelters remain open 24-hours to provide safe refuge from the cold temperatures for those who have lost power. At each of these full-service facilities, more than 160 Red Cross shelter volunteers have provided assistance for emergency needs that include shelter, food and health services. As assessment continues, shelter will be provided as needs arise.

Red Cross emergency shelters remain open at the following locations. Note: Any and all people without power are welcome at any of these locations:

• St. Louis City - Wohl Recreation Center - 1515 North Kingshighway Blvd. - St. Louis City
• North St. Louis County - John F. Kennedy Community Center - 315 Howdershell Road - Florissant, MO

Red Cross shelters that are no longer needed and have closed include the following:

• Jefferson County, MO - Arnold Recreation Center - 1695 Missouri State Road - Arnold, MO - CLOSED 12/4
• St. Francois County, MO - Farmington Civic Center - 2 Black Knight Drive - Farmington, MO - CLOSED 12/5
• Metro East - Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park - 200 South Belt East - Belleville, IL - CLOSED 12/6

About the Red Cross Response to Fires Since 12/1/06:
In addition to operating full-service shelters, more than 50 Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers have provided assistance including shelter, food, clothing, health services, blankets and hygiene items to 107 people impacted by 26 fires since December 1, 2006. While the Red Cross has responded to many other local fires and supported emergency responders on the scene, the following summary only includes fires that resulted in Red Cross casework for the families of those affected:

• 12/5: Casework for 7 people following a house fire in the 5900-Block of Cote Brilliante Avenue - St. Louis, MO. 
• 12/5: Casework for 4 people following a house fire in the 4500-Block of Davison Avenue - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/5: Casework for 3 people following an apartment fire in the 700-Block of St. Louis Avenue - Valley Park, MO.
• 12/5: Casework for 2 people following a mobile home fire in the 400-Block of S. Third Street - Caseyville, IL.
• 12/5: Casework for 7 people following a house fire in the 200-Block of N. 85th Street - Centerville, IL.
• 12/5: Casework for 2 people following a house fire in the 800-Block of N. 81st Street - East St. Louis, IL.
• 12/4: Casework for 1 person following an apartment fire in the 10,000-Block of Crown Point Drive - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/4: Casework for 6 people following a house fire in the 6200-Block of Flint Avenue - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/4: Casework for 1 person following a house fire on Buttercup Place - Troy, MO.
• 12/4: Casework for 2 people following a house fire on Loma Lane - Belleville, IL.
• 12/4: Casework for 3 people following a house fire in the 1100-Block of N. 50th Street - Washington Park, IL.
• 12/4: Casework for 2 people following a multi-unit apartment fire in the 500-Block of S. 11th Street - East St. Louis, IL.
• 12/3: Casework for 3 people following a multi-unit apartment fire in the 3000-Block of Gasconade Street - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/3: Casework for 1 person following a house fire in the 11,000-Block of Kendon Drive - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/2: Casework for 11 people following a multi-unit apartment fire in the 900-Block of New Haven - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/2: Casework for 17 people following a motel fire in the 1100-Block of St. Louis Road - Collinsville, IL.
• 12/2: Casework for 7 people following a house fire on West Adams Drive - Cahokia, IL.
• 12/2: Casework for 1 person following a mobile home fire on Treeview Lane - Fenton, MO.
• 12/2: Casework for 4 people following a house fire in the 4200-Block of Birchwood Drive - Barnhart, MO.
• 12/1: Casework for 4 people following an apartment fire in the 11,000-Block of Latonka Trail - Florissant, MO.
• 12/1: Casework for 4 people following a house fire in the 1400-Block of Farmview Avenue - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/1: Casework for 3 people following a house fire in the 500-Block of Monceau Drive - St. Louis, MO.
• 12/1: Casework for 5 people following a house fire in the 1000-Block of Hidden Valley Estates Drive - Wentzville, MO.
• 12/1: Casework for 1 person following an apartment fire in the 100-Block of Ruby Lane - Fairview Heights, IL.
• 12/1: Casework for 2 people following a house fire in the 4800-Block of State Street - East St. Louis, IL.
• 12/1: Casework for 4 people following a house fire in the 500-block of Robert Price Road - Centerville, IL.

About Red Cross Emergency Services:
The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies. The Red Cross is able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide a vast array of programs and services throughout the region due to the dedication of thousands of volunteers that give freely of their time. Anyone who needs help is encouraged to call 314.516.2800.

How to Help:
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the financial generosity of the St. Louis community. To find out how you can help, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

# # #