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Red Cross Assists the Cold And Stranded For the Holidays
By Lesly C. Hallman, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, December 24, 2004 — Bone chilling cold and blinding snow storms have crippled some parts of the Midwest and South just as holiday travelers hit the road and families gather, sending many to Red Cross shelters for warmth and rest during the holiday season.
Red Cross chapters have shelters open in locations across the South and Midwest, including Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. Some of those may be open on Christmas if severe weather conditions persist, which is expected in many areas.
“This time of year the Red Cross is definitely working,” said Stephanie Millian, spokesperson for Red Cross disaster services. “With the terrible weather leaving motorists stranded and causing widespread power outages, our shelters are there to make sure people have a warm and safe place to wait out the storms.”
In Dayton, OH, 16 inches of snow fell between Wednesday and Thursday; in Mansfield, OH snowfall reached 23 inches. Power lined buckled under the snow and ice, leaving 100,000 people in the Cleveland area without heat during one of the coldest times of the year. In Northern Illinois, the National Weather Service issued a severe weather warning for 22 counties on Christmas Eve, where temperatures are expected to drop as low as 25 degrees below zero.
“The worst of this winter storm seems to be over as far as snowfall goes,” said National Weather Service Central Region Director Dennis McCarthy in a press release, “but we want to urge people to be cautious when they venture outdoors. In this kind of cold a quick trip to the store for that last minute gift could lead to trouble.”
The Faulkner County Chapter in Conway, Arkansas opened a shelter last night for 80 stranded motorists. The shelter may be open again tonight, as several residents attempted to resume their trips this morning, only to return after finding driving conditions unsafe.
In Illinois, the Red Cross is serving meals at a community shelter in Johnson County, and running another shelter in Marion, covering more than 200 residents. Weather conditions are expected to improve there today, allowing residents to leave and shelters to close.
Bill Salmeron, chief operations officer with the Louisiana Capital Area chapter, said his chapter is on standby to open shelters tonight if predicted sleet and freezing rain hit the area.
“Even if it doesn’t snow, we are concerned about the homeless population because they are least prepared for this weather,” said Salmeron. “The community homeless shelters are open and we have agreed to support them with cots, blankets, or whatever they need, and if the weather gets worse we are available to open shelters to anyone who needs a warm place to stay.”
American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this winter storm and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org
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