(CHICAGO, IL) July 13, 2017 — The American Red Cross is providing help to hundreds of people affected by severe flooding and power outages in northern Illinois counties including Cook, Lake and McHenry. Red Cross responders have been on the scene since early yesterday morning and have been providing assistance including shelter, food, water and comfort.

The following Red Cross shelters opened yesterday to provide resources to people affected by flooding:

• Magee Middle School, 500 N Cedar Lake, Round Lake Beach
• The Chapel in Grayslake, 25270 IL- 60, Grayslake

Red Cross responders are currently in the affected communities working with residents to assess needs including lodging, food and mental health support. The Red Cross invites all residents who have been displaced to come to any of the shelters and meet with a caseworker and get a hot meal.

 For Spanish-speaking residents impacted by flooding, the Red Cross has Spanish language resources available including caseworkers and translators who can help with recovery services. 

The Red Cross urges all those impacted people to stay safe as the flooding may escalate over the next few days. All residents needing assistance from the Red Cross can call our flood hotline at 847-220-7495.

“The widespread and devastating flooding has forced many from their homes, said Celena Roldán, CEO of the Chicago and Northern Illinois Red Cross. “The Red Cross continues to work in the community and to support those who have had to leave their home.  We will continue our response as long as there is a community need.  We want all affected residents to have a safe place to stay.”

Download the free Red Cross Flood App: The Red Cross Flood App provides people with real time flood alert warnings and steps deal with flooding before, during and after an event. Users can enter location information of loved ones across the country to monitor the flooding situation in any area.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency App: The Red Cross Emergency App provides people with instant access to emergency alerts and life-saving information. Available for smart phones and tablets, it includes content on what to do before, during and after a variety of severe weather events. Users can customize more than 35 emergency weather alerts based on their location and where loved ones live.

FLOOD SAFETY AND CLEANUP: The Red Cross has steps for someone to follow if their community is affected by flooding:

• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, have an emergency response kit
• If a flood or flash flood warning is issued for someone’s area, they should head for higher ground and stay there.
• People should stay away from floodwaters. If someone comes across an area where water is above their ankles, they should stop, turn around and go another way. If they encounter a flooded road while driving, they should also turn around and go another way. If the car is caught in rising water, they should get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
• It is important to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.
• Children are curious and should be kept out of the water.
• Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damages.
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater. When in doubt, throw it out!
• When it is safe to return home, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.

HOW TO HELP: The Red Cross depends on financial donations to provide immediate disaster relief. Help people affected by Illinois tornadoes and severe storms by visiting redcross.org or calling 1- 800-RED CROSS. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE RED CROSS

Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. Our vital work is only possible because of people like you. Whether helping one displaced family or thousands, providing care and comfort to an ill or injured service member or veteran, or teaching others how to respond in emergencies, it’s through the efforts of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things. If you are inspired to action, visit http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer to volunteer.

About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:

The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. 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 us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.

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