Red Cross opens shelter in Jerseyville, IL in response to flooding; Nine shelters now open in response to flooding and tornadoes in MO and adjoining IL counties

June 6, 2019 – Nine Red Cross shelters are now open across the state of Missouri and adjoining Illinois counties* in response to flooding and tornado damage.  Efforts are ongoing in coordination with local officials to evaluate and determine new shelter locations as needed with evolving flood conditions in the state.

A new shelter has been opened in Jerseyville, Illinois to assist residents in the area as flooding worsens. This is the fifth shelter opened in the Greater St. Louis and surrounding areas on both sides of the state line in response to flooding:

• Jerseyville, Elementary School, 201 North Giddings Ave., Jerseyville, IL  (Greater St. Louis MO Chapter) Now open. The local humane society will assist individuals bringing pets with shelter for the animals.

Previously opened shelters include the following:

Eastern Missouri shelters in Greater St. Louis area open in response to flooding

• Valmeyer Community School, 300 S. Cedar Bluff, Valmeyer, IL (Greater St. Louis MO Chapter) Opened 6/5. The local humane society will assist individuals bringing pets with shelter for the animals at the local fairgrounds. Overnight shelter count June 5 = 0
• Kennedy Recreation Complex, 6050 Wells Rd, St. Louis, MO (Greater St. Louis MO Chapter) If individuals need sheltering for pets, they are asked to call 314-615-9500. Opened 6/3. Overnight shelter count on June 5 = 10
• Saint John United Church of Christ, 405 S. 5th St, St Charles, MO (Greater St. Louis MO Chapter) Opened 6/2. (Entrance to shelter is located at 517 Jackson St. Pets will be accommodated through the local animal shelter assisting with housing animals of those staying at the shelter). Overnight shelter count on June 5 = 4
• Winfield High School at 3920 State Hwy 47, Winfield, MO (Greater St. Louis MO chapter) Opened 5/29. Pet Trailer available- residents asked to bring pet food for pets and will need to care for their pets while there. Overnight shelter population on June 5 = 17

Northwest Missouri shelters in response to flooding

• Buckner United Methodist Church, 109 S. Hudson St., Buckner, MO (Greater Kansas City and Northwest MO chapter) Opened 6/1. Overnight shelter population on June 5 = 15 NOTE: Mound City First Christian Church shelter in Mound City, MO has closed effective June 6.

Central Missouri shelters in response to flooding and tornadoes

• Open Bible Praise Center, 16991 Hwy 87 Boonville, MO (Central and Northwest MO chapter) Opened 5/31. Overnight shelter population on 6/3 = 9

Two Red Cross shelters remain open in central Missouri in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that hit Jefferson City May 22. These shelters are also available to support those affected by flooding.

• Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1201 Fairgrounds Road, Jefferson City, MO (includes pet shelter) (Central and Northern Missouri Chapter) (Opened 5/22) Overnight shelter population on June 5 = 32
• Eldon Community Center, 309 E. 2^nd St., Eldon, MO ((Central and Northern Missouri Chapter) (Opened 5/22) Overnight shelter population on June 5 = 21

Items to bring include clothing for a few days, bedding, toiletries, essential medication, and items for your children. Anyone who needs to find a shelter may visit redcross.org/shelter, download the free Red Cross Emergency App or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Damage assessments underway across the state

The Red Cross is continuing to conduct damage assessments in areas across the state including Southern Missouri, following the Golden City tornado damage, May 22; Central Missouri following the Jefferson City/Eldon damage; Greater KC metro following the May 28^th tornado damage; and northwest Missouri following flooding near Mound City and Bethany, MO.

Donations

A donation drop-off site has been designated in Jefferson City for those affected by the May 22 tornado damage:

Capital West Christian Event Center (Multi-Agency Warehouse), 1315 Fairgrounds Road, Jefferson City, MO.

Receiving hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week.  Items being accepted are new items needed for individuals who are recovering and moving into a new home. This is being overseen by the Adventist Disaster Response.  Please note, that many of the local organizations have received significant amounts of donations of used items including clothing items already.

How to help

During and after disasters, financial donations enable the Red Cross to 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 or donate online at www.redcross.org.

Volunteers

Those wishing to volunteer to help in this disaster or future disasters, may sign up at www.redcross.org.

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