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American Red Cross helps families devastated by Georgia floods
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On September 21, after viewing storm damage in Douglas and Paulding counties from the air, Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that passed through Georgia. The counties included Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker. President Obama later issued a federal disaster declaration for these 17 Georgia counties
At the close of disaster assessment, it has been determined that 2,862 homes have been affected by flooding in 20 Georgia counties. Media reports indicate that 10 people have died as a result of the floods, including a toddler ripped from his mother's arms as their mobile home was swept into a creek. A Lawrenceville woman was driving when her van was swept into a creek, leading to her death by drowning. Carroll County rescuers found "people hanging from trees, hanging onto their babies." Throughout all of this devastation, there has been one agency that has been at the forefront, helping people to piece their lives back together – the American Red Cross.
At the start of the disaster, the American Red Cross established seven shelters across the northern part of Atlanta to help house flood victims and provide them with immediate needs including food and medications. Since flooding began, over 800 Red Cross volunteers have been deployed, working to support the disaster-caused needs of families. To date, the Red Cross has sheltered nearly 500 people (2,817 overnight stays), served 42,604 meals and 55,720 snacks, and distributed 7,594 clean-up and comfort kits. Through mobile outreach into flood-affected areas, caseworkers are meeting one-on-one with people in need and providing financial assistance for food, clothing, shelter, and health-related concerns.
Floods are among the most costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. All Red Cross disaster relief is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money to their Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to those affected by disasters such as the current floods. As we begin to heal from this disaster, there are 23 Counties Eligible for Individual and/or Public Assistance from FEMA, which include: Carroll, Catoosa, Cobb, Chattooga, Cherokee, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker counties are eligible for individual and public assistance. Bartow and Coweta counties are eligible for individual assistance only. Crawford, Dawson, Dooley, Houston, Peach, and Taylor are eligible for public assistance only. The number to call for FEMA assistance is 1-800-621-3362.
Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of assistance available from FEMA. The American Red Cross is continuing to supplement this assistance, and will continue to work with those individuals in need. Here is how you can help:
? Donate money. You can help people affected by disasters like the current floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter (1955 Monroe Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324) or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
? Donate blood. The need for blood is constant and the Southern Blood Services Region is committed to continuing to provide blood and blood products to those in need at all times. Visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to find a blood drive near you.
? Donate your time. Sign up as a Red Cross volunteer. Visit www.redcross.org.
For more info:
American Red Cross Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
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