Red Cross Remains in Louisiana Helping Flood Victims

American Red Cross Responds to Louisiana Flooding

September 19, 2016

For more than a month, thousands of American Red Cross disaster workers have been helping people in Louisiana impacted by the devastating flooding.

The Red Cross provided emergency assistance immediately in the form of shelter, food and comfort, and is still in Louisiana making sure people get the help they need as they plan their next steps. Since the flooding began, more than 4,600 Red Cross workers from every state in the country and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have:

Served more than 1.2 million meals and snacks.

Distributed almost 700,000 relief items.

Provided more than 78,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters, more than the number of overnight stays provided during Superstorm Sandy.

Handled nearly 40,000 calls from people seeking help.

Provided more than 40,000 health services and emotional support contacts.

“One month ago, we launched a massive relief operation across much of Louisiana. We’ve served over a million meals and snacks – enough food for 14 times the number of people who attended the last Super Bowl. We’ve also provided more than 78,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters – more than the number of overnight stays we provided during Superstorm Sandy,” reported Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “One month in, a lot of great progress has been made, but this operation isn’t over, and we won’t leave while people in Louisiana still need our help.”

Every day more people are leaving shelters in Louisiana as they find more suitable housing. However, several hundred people are still in shelters and the Red Cross is working with partners and agencies to find them more suitable housing. Some of the people staying in shelters who can’t return home due to flooding damage are being helped through government programs, which may include relocating survivors to hotels or other temporary housing solutions. Some shelter residents will be helped through other community programs.

Red Cross workers are connecting people in Louisiana to the critical services and resources they need to recover, including limited financial assistance for those who qualify. Several thousand households have already registered for this help.

People impacted by the flooding are urged to register with FEMA, as there is federal assistance available. For those who do not qualify for this federal disaster assistance, the Red Cross will be able to provide limited financial assistance to ensure that they have access to additional support.

Red Cross assistance is available to those who meet both of the following criteria: (1) they do not qualify for federal disaster assistance; and (2) they have had major damage or their home has been destroyed. If qualified, a family of four will receive $500 (i.e., $125 per person). This assistance can help families begin their recovery by providing funds which can be used for an apartment deposit, clothes or food, or immediate transportation expenses.

People who may be eligible for Red Cross financial assistance should register online at redcross.org/LAfloodassistance or call 855-224-2490. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or require accessible communications may text 571-422-1144.

To learn more about our work, or to join the Red Cross by volunteering or making a contribution, visit us online at redcross.org.

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.