[ATLANTA, APRIL 15, 2021] — While the statewide relief operation that began March 25th to respond to an EF4 tornado, scattered storm damage, and isolated flooding in 10 counties is wrapping up this week, Georgia’s Red Cross will continue to be there for residents and communities getting back on their feet.

“The Red Cross will continue to support families affected through our casework process, helping them connect with community services and agency resources available to them,” said Shawn McCorry, relief operation director. “As an immediate relief organization, the Red Cross couldn’t be prouder to work with the many groups stepping up to help their neighbors move into the next phase of disaster recovery.”

Anyone with disaster-caused, emergency needs can still speak with the Red Cross at 1-800-RedCross (1 800-733-2767). In addition, resources are available to anyone online at www.redcross.org, including Red Cross Tips for Recovering Emotionally from a Disaster and Disasters and Financial Planning, A Guide for Preparedness and Recovery.

During the past three weeks, nearly 140 Red Cross disaster workers – most Georgia volunteers – helped with relief efforts in-person and virtually. 

Red Cross Disaster Relief Highlights:

• Damage Assessment: Volunteer Teams assessed damage to 1,215 homes and helped identify emergency needs in 10 counties. Their collective efforts showed 600 homes destroyed or with major damage – most in hardest-hit Coweta County. Damage assessment helps open doors for Red Cross and partner assistance.

• Food and Shelter: Over a two-and-a-half-week period, the Red Cross provided some 1,950 overnight stays for dozens of displaced families, utilizing 15 different hotel “shelters” to lodge them.  Some 4,000 restaurant meals were packaged and delivered there daily. Water and snacks were also available at the hotels, through mobile distribution in hard-hit areas and at community supply sites.

• Casework and Direct Services: So far, caseworkers have connected virtually with some 170 families – more than 560 people – to discuss their emergency needs and provide resources, referrals, and assistance with recovery plans. Follow-up with these families will continue while others in need of help may still reach out. Health, Mental Health, and Spiritual Care volunteers made 1,050 contacts to help with replacement glasses and prescriptions, emotional support, coping skills, and other essentials. 

• Emergency Supplies: 330 households received emergency supplies such as rakes, tarps, work gloves, trash bags, and other items to help with clean-up and repairs. Emergency supplies were also shared with volunteers at community distribution sites.

• Emergency Partners: The Red Cross aligned closely with government partners, providing liaisons for 11 state and county Emergency Operation Centers. We also worked side-by-side with numerous volunteer organizations active in disaster, faith-based and non-profit groups, foundations, and the private sector to match people in need with partner resources.

How People Can Help:

Help people affected by spring tornadoes and floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting the words STORMS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from these disasters.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.