Red Cross Helps Missouri, Arkansas Flood Victims

The American Red Cross remains on the ground in Missouri and Arkansas where some areas remain under floodwaters, providing food and shelter for people impacted by the flooding.

Almost 100 people are still in 8 shelters in the two states. In Missouri, the Red Cross and partners have already provided shelter for more than 375 people in 15 shelters, distributed more than 10,270 meals and snacks and almost 32,465 relief items (as of May 7). Pallets of water are headed to western Ripley County due to a water restriction there and multiple Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) are set to open today in various impacted locations where people can get information and help from various resources.

Almost 50 Arkansas residents spent Sunday night in two shelters. Some areas in the northeast part of the state are still inaccessible and Red Cross workers are providing shelter, food, health and mental health services, casework helping with disaster assessment and distributing relief items throughout the affected parts of the state.

The Red Cross is working with local and state officials to ensure people get the help they need. If someone needs to find a shelter, they can visit redcross.org, check the Red Cross Emergency App or call 1-800-768-8048.

In addition to shelters, Red Cross volunteers are providing food and relief items and health and mental health services. In some areas, Red Cross caseworkers are beginning to connect one-on-one with families now to create recovery plans and access additional support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Hundreds of people across a large part of the country need your help now. Please click, text or call to donate to the Red Cross to help people affected by disasters big and small. Every single donation brings hope to those in need.

Make a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift.

Help people affected by disasters like severe storms and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. These gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP People should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of tornadoes, flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

FLOODING

• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters.
• Turn around, don’t drown. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
• If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.