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Relief Operations Underway in Water-Logged Southern States
Written by Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
July 2, 2003 —
After saturating the Carolinas, the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill doused the East Coast with more rainfall on Wednesday (July 2), leaving behind rain-soaked residents across the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States.
Floodwaters resulting from Tropical Storm Bill have inundated homes and property in countless areas throughout the southeast
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When the fast-forming storm roared ashore on Monday (June 30), many coastal communities struggled to stay afloat after weeks of wicked weather.
As the floodwaters swept in, local American Red Cross chapters rushed assistance to storms victims and disaster relief operations are now underway in Louisiana and Mississippi where Red Cross volunteers and staff are providing ongoing emergency services to waterlogged residents.
"We have a lot of extended response taking place because we're finding some out lying areas still dealing with flooding," said Nora Walls of the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the Red Cross in New Orleans. "We've had 680 homes affected in our region and have about 6,000 people still without power."
The last of five Red Cross shelters that were open in Louisiana closed today, Walls said, but mass care and mobile feeding operations will now utilize Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to reach victims. Damage assessment teams are combing distressed areas, particularly near Covington, La., where they estimate 400 homes were inundated by floodwaters.
In Terrebonne Parish, local officials estimated that 300 homes flooded and up to 8 more inches of rain are forecasted, posing a looming disaster for already swollen rivers. Further south in Montegut, La., some residents reported going fishing inside their homes and yards after "Bad Boy Bill's" storm surge burst a local levee and swamped the town.
Louisiana residents were not the only ones feeling Bill's wrath. Damage assessment crews from the South Central Mississippi chapter reported that 15-20 homes were damaged by flooding near Hattiesburg. Some of the system's heaviest rain was seen in the Florida Panhandle, though, where the storm dumped a three-day total of 9.8 inches of rain. Meanwhile, coastal Alabama residents weathered their share of treacherous conditions as well.
"The rain's not too bad, but the storm surge is what gets us during weather like that," said Ken Poston, Disaster Specialist with the Alabama Gulf Coast chapter in Mobile. "We had state roads that had some wash out but they seem to have everything under control now."
Tropical Storm Bill drenched the entire southeast as it made its way toward the East Coast.
Image Courtesy of NOAA
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The entire state of Alabama endured a flash flood warning as Bill passed through on Tuesday, drenching the state from its coastline to the northern-most counties.
"In our area we had some flash flooding that created road hazards," said Mary Ann Montz of the West Alabama chapter in Tuscaloosa. "But it seemed like the worse flooding was down around Birmingham."
But even after reportedly spawning tornadoes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, Bill maintained enough strength to douse North Carolina with four inches of rain, while downing trees and power lines in some areas. However, the storm's pace was faster than forecasters anticipated and it continued its northern spiral without pushing Carolina rivers beyond their embankments.
Meteorologists speculate that a storm of Bill's magnitude this early in hurricane season is further indicative of tumultuous months ahead. American Red Cross chapters are urging residents in coastal areas to take the necessary preparedness measures to ensure the safety of their family and community in anticipation of a busy hurricane season.
"Having a storm this early has reminded to people to get ready and get their supplies together for next one," said Walls. "They know they need to be prepared because another one will come."
The Red Cross is encouraging residents in areas affected by Tropical Storm Bill to contact their local Red Cross or call the toll-free Red Cross hotline, 1-866-GET-INFO for:
- current shelter locations;
- safety tips and evacuation guidelines;
- where and how to receive Red Cross assistance;
- ways to reduce potential damage to the home;
- information on loved ones in the affected areas;
- referrals to emergency and mental health services;
- guidance for talking with children about disasters; and
- how you can help with a gift of time, blood or money
The Disaster Relief Fund is dangerously low -- Your Help is Needed More Than Ever
The Red Cross is using the Disaster Relief Fund to assist residents affected by tropical storms and flooding, as well as thousands of other disaster victims across the country each year. This fund is now dangerously low and we cannot meet this challenge without your help. Please help support disaster victims nationwide by contributing to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of 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. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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