UNDATED (WTAQ) – The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the Red Cross is sending three volunteers down to Louisiana in order to help the response to historic flooding.
“We have three from Northeast Wisconsin who are currently on their way,” says Steve Hansen, Chapter Executive. “Our Emergency Response Vehicle out of Green Bay will be one of 60 ERV’s that are being deployed at this time.”
The vehicles are used to transport food and supplies into disaster-stricken areas. Two volunteers are driving the ERV to Baton Rouge.
“This disaster’s certainly of historic proportion,” Hansen says. “We know already that this will be the largest disaster since Hurricane Sandy.”
Hansen says the typical deployment lasts 2 to 3 weeks, and expects to be fully involved in the recovery effort for the next several months before it’s turned over to just local officials.
At least six people are dead and thousands more are homeless. Early estimates indicate that Red Cross response efforts could cost more than $10 million.
Many areas are still inaccessible and more rain is predicted which could lead to additional flooding.
The Red Cross urgently needs the public to join in supporting Louisiana by making a financial donation today. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
