Media Contact: Jennifer Costa
(802) 556-2171 | Jennifer.costa@redcross.org
BARRE, Vt., JULY 10, 2023 — The American Red Cross opens a regional disaster shelter at the Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill, Barre) to provide safe shelter for residents displaced by the ongoing severe storms and significant flooding currently affecting Vermont. The shelter opened today at 3 p.m.
Significant rainfall over the last 12 hours, along with saturated ground and full rivers and lakes, has caused serious and potentially life-threatening flooding in multiple parts of Vermont. Rainfall is expected to continue throughout the early afternoon. Roads are being closed due to damage, cutting off multiple communities. Vermont Governor Phil Scott has declared a state of emergency.
The disaster shelter in Barre will be managed by the Red Cross. The Red Cross is also working closely with local and state emergency management and government officials.
Individuals evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of their family, including:
The Red Cross is partnering with the Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART) to welcome and manage pets at the shelter.
For help or for additional information, dial 2-1-1.
The Red Cross wants to remind Vermonters: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over – and 12 inches can carry your vehicle away.
All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public. To donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters big and small, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. To become a Red Cross volunteer visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
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.