The American Red Cross continues to help families in Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties who have been affected by flooding. The Red Cross and partnering agencies opened three multi-agency resource centers.
The Multi-Agency Resource Center is a one-stop location where different agencies come together to provide services under one roof to assist in the recovery efforts of those affected by a disaster.
To date in response to the recent flooding in Wisconsin, the Red Cross has: served 480 clients; provided 493 meals; distributed 1,689 cleanup kits; served 1,748 snacks, and; provided clients with 4.315 bulk items such as bleach, gloves and garbage bags.
Those needing assistance can call the Red Cross at (414) 345-8678.
The agency reminds residents to follow these safety steps in regards to floods:
- Stay away from floodwaters and do not allow children to play in the water;
- Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger;
- During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots;
- Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk;
- Make sure food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out;
- Contact local or state public health department to see if the water supply might be contaminated. It may need to boiled or treated before use. Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula;
People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org, calling (800) RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross and the communities it serves rely on local volunteers to provide humanitarian relief during times of disaster. To learn more about becoming a volunteer in local communities visit www.redcross.org/WI.
About the Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; 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 humanitarian mission. The Wisconsin Region serves 5.8 million people across Wisconsin and Houston County Minnesota.
For more information, please visit redcross.org, follow a blog at redcrosswisnews.org and follow on Twitter @redcrosswis.
