SHREVEPORT, La. – The American Red Cross is surging resources and personnel into North Louisiana to assist communities battered by the winter storm. With thousands still without power and a dangerous refreeze expected tonight, the Red Cross is responding by opening shelters and moving critical supplies as travel along the I-20 corridor between Shreveport and Monroe remains treacherous due to abandoned vehicles and ice remnants. As part of preparations, you are invited to join an upcoming “just-in-time" training to help your neighbors through this and future disasters.
Localized response and sheltering
In response to the prolonged outages – reaching 95% in East Carroll Parish – the Red Cross is working alongside the National Guard and local partners to establish a “village” hub at a local school to provide power, sanitation and dormitory support. New shelters and warming centers are being activated daily, including a newly opened site in Mansfield. For updates on the latest shelters, call 211, visit redcross.org/shelter or download the free Red Cross Emergency App from your app store, available in both in English and Spanish.
Logistics and commodities support
To ensure relief reaches the hardest hit areas despite doubled travel times and hazardous roads, the Red Cross has mobilized a specialized fleet, including three Mobile Emergency Response Vehicles (MERVs) and an Information and Referral Vehicle (IRV). To date, the logistics team has successfully deployed 12 supply trailers to strategic locations across the region. Anticipating sustained needs, the Red Cross is further expanding its capacity by adding box trucks to the fleet. This robust logistical network is already delivering critical commodities, including 3,000 self-heating "heater meals" staged in Shreveport and a 26-foot box truck of cots and blankets are currently en route to East Carroll Parish.
“Our teams are moving as quickly as safety allows to reach those who have been in the dark and cold for more than 60 hours,” said Karen McCoy, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of North Louisiana. “This is a nimble, collaborative effort. We are focused on getting hand warmers, hot meals and a warm place to sleep for our neighbors who need them most. As the temperatures drop into the low 20s tonight, our priority remains the safety and warmth of every resident in North Louisiana.”
Call for volunteers
The Red Cross is seeking additional volunteers to support sustained operations, particularly for shelter teams in Louisiana.
To mobilize the community quickly, the Red Cross is hosting a series of virtual “just-in-time" trainings. These two-hour sessions require no prior experience and are designed to get volunteers "mission-ready" immediately.
Virtual | Led by Red Cross staff
Rapid Volunteer Intake: For those unable to attend training but interested in becoming a volunteer during this winter storm, please visit this rapid volunteer application form and a Red Cross team member will reach out immediately.
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.
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