LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2019 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region will continue providing hot meals, snacks, clean water and a safe place to stay for as long as needed by those affected. Everyone is welcome – regardless of race, religion, gender sexual orientation or citizenship status – at the emergency shelter at the Kerr McGee Community Center (100 W. California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555) set up by the American Red Cross following the recent earthquakes in the Searle Valley.
Since disaster response operations began last week, the Red Cross has mobilized 147 workers, provided 581 overnight shelter stays and served 25,630 snacks and meals. All Red Cross disaster services are free of charge.
The Red Cross is working with Kern County Animal Services to house pets outside the Kerr McGee shelter and supply owners with pet food and supplies. Meanwhile the organization’s emergency response vehicles are delivering drinking water, meals and cleaning supplies to affected residents in the cities of Trona and Ridgecrest. In addition, disaster mental health personnel are in the field offering counseling and other mental health services.
The Red Cross encourages anyone seeking disaster recovery information and resources to visit the local assistance centers at the Kerr McGee Community Center and Trona High School, where the Red Cross and vetted partner agencies are on site . The Kerr McGee assistance center – not to be confused with the emergency shelter – will remain open through Saturday, July 13 from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; the Trona High School center will remain open until further notice.
With a "boil water” advisory currently in effect in Kerr County, the Red Cross is providing limited quantities of refillable water bags to assistance center visitors.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.