American Red Cross Response to Tornadoes and Flooding
Overview
A fierce tornado struck southwestern Kansas the evening of Friday, May 4, killing at least 10 people and destroying approximately 95 percent of the town of Greensburg. The storm system that spawned the tornado lingered in the Plains states through the weekend, producing heavy rains that caused many rivers and streams to overflow their banks. Flash flood warnings have been issued for several counties in western Kansas, and weather forecasters are warning that thunderstorms are likely through much of this week.
American Red Cross Response
American Red Cross volunteers and staff from across Kansas and neighboring states are providing safe shelter, food and relief services for those affected by the tornado and the flooding. Red Cross workers have set up emergency shelters in the affected Kansas counties, providing food, water and other services.
Due to widespread power and telecommunication outages, family and friends affected by the storms may not be able to reach each other. If you have been affected by the tornado, please visit www.redcross.org and click on Safe and Well to inform your loved ones of your well-being. This secure Website provides a way for you to identify yourself as "safe and well." From a list of standard messages, you can select those you want to communicate to family members who may be worried about your safety. If you hear from a loved one in the affected area, you can add their information so other family members will also know their status.
How to Get Help
If are in need of emergency shelter, water or food, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter for assistance.
Finding Missing Loved Ones
Before disaster strikes, take time to create a family communications plan and complete an emergency contact card for all family members. Planning ahead is the best way to stay connected when disaster strikes. However, if you are separated from or cannot locate loved ones in the aftermath of a disaster, the Safe and Well List Web site also can be used as a resource when normal communications are disrupted.
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund |
All 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 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 victims of disaster.
Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org. |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation to:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
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The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
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Become A Volunteer |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit Volunteer Match to become a Red Cross volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas. |
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Find your local Red Cross chapter |
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Visit VolunteerMatch.org |
Promote the Red Cross |
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Support the American Red Cross by hosting an online advertisement/public service banner on your Web site encouraging others to make a financial donation. |
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Sign up to host an online advertisement/public service banner |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.
If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Inquiries Media or Public
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
Medial Requests ONLY |
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NATIONAL Requests: Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
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LOCAL Requests: Find and contact the closest Red Cross Chapter |
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page. |
Additional Resources
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