Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (May 3, 2024) — Today, three trained disaster volunteers from the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada arrived in Texas to start a 14-day deployment, offering sheltering assistance to those affected by the widespread flooding in the region. Red Cross disaster relief teams from across the nation are mobilizing to support evacuees in Texas, the most recent state slammed by storms this past week.
As flooding escalates in Texas following severe storms and heavy rainfall, sweeping away vehicles and damaging homes, evacuation orders have been issued across Southeast Texas, including Houston and surrounding areas. “Our Southern Nevada Red Cross volunteers are in Texas to aid those severely impacted by the floods,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “Their unwavering commitment to assisting others, not just locally but nationwide, is truly commendable. We take pride in our team’s readiness to lend a helping hand in times of need.”
The veteran team of Southern Nevada volunteers includes Tammy Brandl from Pahrump, who has been deployed 24 times with the Red Cross, Emma Empey from Las Vegas with 17 deployments and Marcia Frank from Las Vegas with five deployments. The team is completed by Kirsti Dunn from Ogden, Utah.
Relief for Texans urged to evacuate
Our local volunteers are stationed in Livingston, Texas, to provide sheltering assistance. Their deployment was crucial due to their capacity to manage a shelter accommodating up to 100 people. With over 1,000 households evacuated in Polk County, where Livingston serves as the county seat, the Red Cross is operating shelters to ensure everyone has a safe place to stay and access to meals, power and other essentials. Additionally, the Red Cross has set up shelters in five other Texas counties.
“As a Red Cross volunteer, responding to disasters to aid residents is more than a duty – it's a calling, to be there for people when they need it most,” said Empey. “Knowing that our actions can bring comfort and hope to those affected drives us to stand in solidarity with communities during their most challenging times.”
Join the team
After initial training, Red Cross disaster volunteers are prepared to respond to local emergencies, such as helping those displaced by home fires. They can provide immediate support either on-site or remotely. With experience and additional training, volunteers can deploy to major emergencies or disasters in Nevada and across the country. Explore more opportunities at redcross.org/DAT.
Every day, individuals and families in our community rely on Red Cross volunteers for assistance. Volunteers help people affected by disasters, donate blood, teach lifesaving skills and support active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families. Discover the volunteer role that suits you best at redcross.org/volunteer.
Support people affected by disasters
Make a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.