Volunteers disaster responders with the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois responded to 18 fires across our region from May 28 to today. The fires affected 82 people, including 61 adults and 21 children in Ottawa, Morris, Kankakee, Lake Forest, Joliet, Blue Island and Chicago where 11 of those fires occurred.
In addition, volunteers also helped families after their homes flooded as thunderstorms passed through our region most of last week. Red Cross volunteers assisted 8 adults and 2 children in Tampico, Amboy, Palos Hills, Merrionette Park, Rock Falls and Chicago.
The Red Cross provided immediate assistance with temporary housing, clothing, food, comfort kits with toiletry items and clean up kits. Volunteers also helped with information about recovery services and health and mental health services.
According to the National Weather Service, severe weather will continue to affect our region this week. Here are few things to keep in mind to stay safe in case of flooding:
· Even a small amount of water is enough to sweep you off your feet or your vehicle off the road. If you come across a flooded area, turn around and go another way.
· Identify at least two safe ways out of your neighborhood, should you need to evacuate.
· When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
· Have an emergency kit. Click here to learn how to prepare your emergency kit.
Also, the Red Cross Emergency App provides emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of emergencies such as tornadoes and flooding. Users can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give: visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. To donate by check or to a specific cause, please complete this donation form by printing and mailing to your local Red Cross chapter.
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.