UNDATED (WTAQ) – More Red Cross volunteers from Wisconsin are being deployed to help with the recovery effort in the wake of massive floods in Louisiana.
As of mid-day Wednesday, 37 volunteers from Wisconsin are headed down there including 6 from northeast Wisconsin.
“In all likelihood a week from now they will have doubled again,” says Northeast Chapter Executive Steve Hansen. “Based upon what we know is a real need down there.”
More than 8,400 people sought refuge in 36 Red Cross and community shelters in Louisiana on Monday night. Officials say the Red Cross is mobilizing over 60 disaster response vehicles, nearly 40,000 ready-to-eat meals, and dozens of trailers filled with shelter and kitchen supplies.
Hansen says despite the continued need for volunteers, coupled with raging wildfires in California, he’s not worried about over-taxing his resources.
“You always have that in the back of your mind that this is putting a lot of strain on our organization,” Hansen says. “Fortunately we have a well-trained volunteer corps, not only in Wisconsin, but across the country.”
If you’d like to donate to the relief effort, you can go to redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word “LAFLOODS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters.
Residents of the affected areas can connect with their loved ones by using the “I’m Safe” button on the Red Cross Emergency App which is free and can be found in the app store for someone’s mobile device by searching for “American Red Cross” or by going to redcross.org/apps.
People can also visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website, a secure and private way that friends and family connect. The site also allows people to update their status on Facebook and Twitter.
