Red Cross providing relief to thousands across Midwest and South after recent flooding, tornadoes

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Floodwaters inundate neighborhood, Rumsey, Kentucky
After several days of heavy rain, the Green River overflowed its banks, flooding neighborhoods in low-lying areas. Here, floodwater higher than street signs surrounds a neighborhood in Rumsey, Kentucky. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Men in large raft with motor speed over water

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Swift water rescue, Rumsey, Kentucky
A National Guard swift water rescue team heads back to dry land after successfully reaching a stranded animal that was left behind when the owner had to flee rising floodwaters from the Green River in Daviess County, Kentucky. Almost 530 Red Cross volunteers have traveled to Kentucky to provide emergency sheltering, mobile meal service and distribute disaster clean-up kits to assist people impacted by the rising floodwaters. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Floodwaters inundate small Kentucky community

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Surrounded by floodwaters, Rumsey, Kentucky
Floodwaters surround a neighborhood in Rumsey, Kentucky after multiple, consecutive days of heavy rainfall caused the Green River to spill its banks and inundate much of the low-lying area. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Woman in Red Cross vest hands meals to men

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Feeding stranded residents, Stanley, Kentucky
While most homes in Stanley were spared from the worst flooding, the main road to the largest neighboring town was inundated with floodwaters and closed, stranding Stanley residents in their homes until the water subsided. Here, Red Cross volunteer Linda Rice hands a hot meal to Steve McKay of Stanley, Kentucky. McKay’s community sits less than a quarter mile from the banks of the Ohio River, which reached flood stage last week after multiple days of heavy rainfall swelled rivers and tributaries throughout the Mid-South and Ohio Valley, causing devastating flooding for dozens of communities throughout the region. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

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Rescued from flooded home, Calhoun, Kentucky
At a Red Cross evacuation shelter in Calhoun, Kentucky, Linda Pierson explains to Red Cross disaster worker Adam Istas about how she was rescued from her flooding home by a swift-boat rescue team following multiple days of heavy rainfall throughout the Mid-South and Ohio Valley. “They put my wheelchair in the boat first, then they just set me right on top and off we went,” said Pierson. “Thanks God they came for me; I had no way of getting out.” Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

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Forced to evacuate, Calhoun, Kentucky
At a Red Cross evacuation shelter in Calhoun, Kentucky, Doug Traylor (left) tells Red Crosser Adam Istas about how he was forced to evacuate his home after the Green River flooded its banks following multiple days of heavy rainfall. Traylor has lived in his home along the Green River for the past seven years, but says this is the highest he's ever seen it and the first time he's had to evacuate. "The water just started creeping and creeping, and it wasn't too long before you could tell it was gonna hit the house and start seeping through,” said Traylor. “I heard that the Red Cross was set up over here, so I was really glad to have a place to stay.” Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Man in Red Cross vest hands meals to woman

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Feeding in flood-stricken communities, Stanley, Kentucky
Red Cross volunteer Tommy Smith hands hot meals to April Harrison of Stanley, Kentucky. Harrison’s community – which she’s lived in for 40 years – sits less than a quarter mile from the banks of the Ohio River, which reached flood stage last week after multiple days of heavy rainfall swelled rivers and tributaries throughout the Mid-South and Ohio Valley, causing devastating flooding for dozens of communities throughout the region. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Man in Red Cross vest hands meals to another man

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We’re not alone, Woodford County, Kentucky
Wade Walton (left) receives two hot meals from Red Cross volunteer Bruce Judd (right) in Woodford County, Kentucky after Walton's low-lying community along the Kentucky River was flooded. Situated on higher ground, Walton’s home was spared from destructive floodwaters, but extensive flash flooding closed many key roads, stranding Walton and many of his neighbors in their homes until waters receded and help could arrive. “It’s so great that y’all are out here,” said Walton. “Makes us feel like we’re not so alone.” Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

man in Red Cross vest delivers food and water to another man in front of piles of debris from floodwaters

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Residents stranded, Woodford County, Kentucky
Paul Quire (left) receives a bag of snacks and water from Red Cross volunteer Bruce Judd (right) in front of water-soaked furniture and destroyed appliances outside of several flooded-out cottages in Woodford County, Kentucky following flooding from the Kentucky River. With roads throughout Kentucky closed due to high water, many residents were stranded for several days ─ many without power, water or food ─ until floodwaters receded and help could arrive. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Man in Red Cross vest delivers essential supplies to woman in front of piles of flood debris

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Floodwater submerged entire neighborhood, Woodford County, Kentucky.
As river levels recede, the devastation caused by severe flooding in Kentucky is starting to come into focus. Red Cross volunteer John Harris (center) hands Linda Cubino (right) a box of snacks and water in Woodford County, Kentucky as she takes a break from cleaning up her flood-damaged cottage along the Kentucky River. As river levels rose, Cubino tried to protect or remove precious possessions in case the dire predictions came true. When the river finally crested, Cubino's cottage ─ as well as all of her neighbors on the low-lying, river-adjacent road ─ were completely submerged and coated with mud. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

April 18, 2025

Help people affected by disasters like floods, storms and other crises with a Red Cross Disaster Relief donation by visiting redcross.org,calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.

WASHINGTON, D.C. April 18, 2025 ─ Thousands of people across the Midwest and South are facing the massive task of cleaning up the mud and damage left behind by the recent flooding and tornadoes. The American Red Cross is with them, providing comfort and support as part of a massive multi-state relief effort.

RED CROSS RESPONSE To help storm impacted communities, over 1,325 trained Red Cross responders have worked alongside our partners 24/7 to provide safe shelter, nutritious meals and emergency supplies across 240,000 square miles stretching from Texas to Ohio.

The Red Cross has provided over 2,030 overnight stays in 52 shelters across seven states, along with more than 99,645 meals and snacks, and 69,099 relief items to over 17,490 impacted households.

Red Cross caseworkers are helping people in shelters plan their next steps and connect them with other community resources to aid their recovery. Trained Red Cross volunteers are also helping families cope and replace prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs.

The Red Cross is not accepting donations of food, household items or clothing as they cannot be distributed by our teams. Right now, financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those who need it most, which give people the flexibility to purchase what they need.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Red Cross is offering financial assistance in some areas to qualified households whose primary residence was destroyed or sustained eligible structural damage.

To help people as quickly as we can, the Red Cross is providing financial assistance through a phased rollout process moving from county to county in some impacted areas. Once damage assessment is complete for a county, we send text messages, email or phone calls with instructions to qualified households on how to access financial assistance. It will take time for us to reach everyone and we appreciate your patience as we move as quickly as we can. To learn more, please visit redcross.org/gethelp.

FIND A SHELTER Download the free Red Cross Emergency app and add your current location to monitor weather alerts and find open shelters and other places to access disaster aid. In the app, find safety steps for different emergencies and Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. To download, search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.

You can find shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also follow your local Red Cross or emergency officials on social media, sign up for free local government alerts or monitor local news.

Red Cross shelters are a safe place for everyone and act as a hub for disaster help. Anyone who has been affected is welcome to stop by to get information, a hot meal, charge their phone and access other essential support. Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free. We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and where they were living before the disaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP People need urgent assistance now. Help people affected by disasters like floods, storms and countless other crises with a Red Cross Disaster Relief donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

For those interested in helping people specifically affected by the recent storms, we ask that they select the “Spring Storms and Floods” option on redcross.org or through 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Every day, Red Cross volunteers across the nation step up to respond to disasters within their communities and, when called upon, travel to support those in urgent need. As disasters grow more frequent and severe, the need for compassionate responders has never been greater. Join us today by visiting redcross.org/volunteer. Free online training will be provided. Learn more here.

FIND A SHELTER Red Cross shelters are a safe place for everyone and act as a hub for disaster help. Anyone who has been affected is welcome to stop by to get information, a hot meal, charge their phone and access other essential support. We don’t ask for identification, and you don’t have to stay overnight. You can find shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also follow your local Red Cross or emergency officials on social media, sign up for free local government alerts or monitor local news.

BE SAFE If you are in the path of this severe weather, there are steps to take to help keep you safe. Find information about flooding, tornado and thunderstorm safety here. Download the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. To download, search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.

CLIMATE CRISIS This unfolding crisis is part of a years-long trend of worsening extreme weather. Today, the Red Cross is responding nonstop to new major disasters about every 15 days versus every month a decade ago. 2025 already witnessed a significant number of big disasters, like storms and wildfires, following 2024, which recorded the second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year.

Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) Through the generosity of our American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) and Disaster Responder members, the American Red Cross is prepared before disaster strikes. ADGP and Disaster Responder members help secure a reliable funding base for disaster relief services that enables the Red Cross to respond immediately, meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by disaster.

Mission Leader Members: Amazon; American Airlines; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Costco Wholesale; State Farm

ADGP $1M Members: American Honda Motor Company; Anheuser-Busch Foundation; Bank of America; Caterpillar Foundation; Chobani; CMA CGM Foundation; Delta Air Lines; Elevance Health Foundation; Enterprise Mobility Foundation; FedEx; Lilly Endowment Inc.; Lowe's Companies, Inc.; McDonald’s Corporation; Merck; Microsoft; Nationwide Foundation; The Pfizer Foundation; Six Four Foundation; The Starbucks Foundation; Takeda; Truist Foundation; VSP Vision; Walmart and the Walmart Foundation; Wells Fargo

ADGP $500k Members: ALDI; Altria Group; American Express; Aon; Baxter International Foundation; Boeing; Bread Financial; Capital One; Chick-fil-A; Citi Foundation; The Clorox Company; Danaher Foundation; Darden Foundation; Delta Dental; DHL Supply Chain; Edison International; Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation; Ford Philanthropy; Fox Corporation; GE Aerospace; General Motors; Google.org; Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, LLC; HCA Healthcare; The Home Depot Foundation; The J.M. Smucker Company; Johnson Controls Foundation; ; The Kraft Heinz Company Foundation; The Kroger Co. Foundation; Liberty Mutual Insurance; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Marathon Petroleum Corporation; Mastercard; Mondelēz International Foundation; New Balance Foundation; NTT Data; Paul Davis Restoration; PayPal; PepsiCo Foundation; PetSmart Charities; Southeastern Grocers Gives Foundation & Southeastern Grocers, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie; Stryker; Suburban Propane; Target; The TJX Companies, Inc.; Toyota; United Airlines; UPS; USAA; U.S. Bank Foundation; Visa Foundation; The Walt Disney Company; The Wawa Foundation; Wesco; Yum! Brands; Zoetis Foundation

Disaster Responder Members: 7-Eleven Cares Foundation; Adobe Foundation; The AES Corporation; Aflac; Albemarle Corporation; The Allstate Foundation; American Family Insurance; American Tire Distributors; American Water Charitable Foundation; Ameriprise Financial; Assurant; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; Avangrid Foundation; Barclays; Bath & Body Works;; Build-A-Bear Foundation; Canadian National Railway; CarMax; CDW; Charles Schwab Foundation; Cisco and Cisco Foundation; CNA Insurance; The Coca-Cola Foundation; The Deluxe Foundation; DENSO North America Foundation; The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation; Discover; Dollar General; Dollar Tree; Duke Energy; Erie Insurance; Equitable; Fifth Third Foundation; FirstEnergy Corporation; HP Foundation; International Paper; Invitation Homes; Johnson & Johnson Foundation; Keurig Dr Pepper; Kimberly-Clark Corporation; L’Oréal; The Labcorp Charitable Foundation; Lenovo ; LKQ; Macy’s, Inc.; Major League Baseball; Martin Marietta; Masco Corporation; McKesson Foundation; MetLife Foundation; Mutual of Omaha; Neiman Marcus Group; NextEra Energy, Inc.; Norfolk Southern; Northrop Grumman Foundation; Northwestern Mutual; Novartis; Old Dominion Freight Line; Oxy; Pacific Life Foundation; Prudential; Raymond James; RBC Foundation USA; Reckitt; Reliance, Inc.; Reynolds American Inc.; RTX; Ryder System, Inc.; Salesforce; Santander Bank and Santander Consumer USA Foundation Inc. ; Security Finance’s Lending Hand Foundation; ServiceNow; Southwest Airlines; Stanley Black & Decker; Stephens; Tata Consultancy Services; Tennant Company; U-Haul International; Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation; US Foods; Zurich

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.