Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
PIOCHE, Nev. (March 16, 2023) — Trained American Red Cross of Nevada staff and volunteers opened emergency evacuation shelters in Pioche and Panaca Thursday as areas of Lincoln County flooded and amid concern that Echo Canyon Reservoir – also referred to as Echo Dam – could fail.
State and county officials contacted the Red Cross of Nevada asking that the shelters be opened and staffed overnight for residents that may be forced from their homes. The shelter locations are:
The shelters offer residents assistance with essentials, such as temporary lodging, food, and personal care/health items. The shelters are scheduled to remain open until Sunday. Red Cross services are free and available to all.
“The Red Cross is working closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to coordinate relief and support efforts,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “The Red Cross is committed to helping all those affected and providing services until we are no longer needed.”
The flooding throughout the state serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters big and small. Your family can prepare by taking three simple actions:
GET A KIT. Your emergency kit should contain supplies for at least three days, including a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications and copies of important documents. Don’t forget to grab items, such as diapers, for young children, and any supplies for family members with special medical needs. Learn more: redcross.org/kit.
MAKE A PLAN. Make sure to plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you must evacuate. Coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plan. Include your pets in your emergency plans. Remember, if you and your family need to evacuate, so does your pet. It’s important to plan to know which pet-friendly hotels are in your area, and where your pets can stay in an emergency situation. Find full details and easy-to-use plan templates here.
BE INFORMED. Be informed about what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play, and how to respond as safely as possible. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information. Take a first aid, CPR and AED course, so you’ll know what to do in case help is delayed. Learn how to get fully informed about emergencies here.
For more information and preparedness tips, visit redcross.org/prepare.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.