 American Red Cross Maintains Three Shelters
and Stands Ready to Shelter 500 People
100 Red Cross workers are on the job, staffing shelters, serving meals and assessing damage
***Red Cross representatives are available for interviews to discuss relief efforts and flood safety.
For more information, please call 314.406.1920.***
St. Louis, Thursday, March 20, 2008 – In the wake of current and anticipated severe flooding across the St. Louis area, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is operating three emergency shelters throughout the metropolitan area. The Red Cross currently is prepared to provide 500 individuals with shelter, food and emergency supplies. Shelters will remain open 24/7 at these locations until all needs are met:
- Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church – 1230 Big Bend Road – Ballwin, MO 63021 - St. Louis County
- Northwest High School – 6005 Cedar Hill Road – Cedar Hill, MO 63016 - Jefferson County
- Riverbend School – 2085 Highway N – Pacific, MO 63069 – Franklin County
While maintaining three shelter locations, Red Cross workers have served 450 meals and snacks; have started damage assessment in the affected areas; and stand ready to open additional shelters as needed. More than 100 Red Cross workers are currently working on the relief effort, hundreds more are on stand-by; over 600 facilities across the region are on stand-by to serve as shelters locations as needed.
Due to state and local health codes, Red Cross cannot shelter pets along with people; however, Red Cross understands that pets are part of the family too and may need shelter in times of disaster. Red Cross has teamed up with the St. Louis County Health Department which is operating a pet shelter adjacent to the Red Cross shelter in Ballwin.
For more information on Red Cross disaster relief services, call the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800.
How You Can Help:
The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and relies upon the generosity of the local community to provide relief during times of disaster. To make a contribution in support of disaster relief for this and future events, please contact Red Cross at 314.516.2800 or donate on-line at www.redcrossstl.org.
For those who may be evacuating, please keep in mind the following safety tips:
- Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information, and follow all instructions provided by authorities.
- When advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Tell everyone in your family where they need to go if you need to evacuate your home.
- If you are driving and come upon flood waters, turn around and go another way. Do not drive through flood waters.
- If your vehicle becomes surrounded by water (or the engine stalls), use caution when leaving your vehicle.
- Be aware of flood hazards including debris and deep and fast-moving water.
- Do not walk through flooded areas.
- If you are outdoors, climb to higher ground and stay there.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Watch out for animals seeking shelter because they have lost their habitat.
- Keep insurance policies, documentsand other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
About Red Cross Emergency Services:
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. All Red Cross disaster relief assistance is free, thanks to generous public support. For more information about volunteer opportunities, emergency services or a variety of other programs provided by the organization, log on to the St. Louis Area Chapter’s website at www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 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.
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