Five days after a storm with heavy rainfall that caused several rivers and creeks to overflow their banks and flood numerous towns across New Jersey, American Red Cross volunteers continue to bring comfort and support to their neighbors. Volunteers continue to work at shelters open for those needing a safe haven, are out in flood-ravaged communities providing emergency relief items like clean-up kits, food, and water, and are helping people who must cope with flooded homes again less than a month after flooding during the last storm in December.

As of January 13, the American Red Cross New Jersey Region has opened 3 temporary shelters and staffed several reception centers, providing affected people with a place to seek refuge from the floods and cold temperatures. Throughout flood-impacted communities like Little Falls, Paterson, New Milford, Lodi, Delran, Wayne, Lincoln Park, Denville, Cinnaminson, and Pompton Lakes, more than 1,700 meals and snacks have been provided thus far and 650 emergency relief items, including clean-up kits and other supplies, have been distributed to people in need. To date, these relief operations have helped more than 280 affected households and have been supported by 46 trained Red Cross disaster workers.

On Sunday, January 14, Red Cross volunteers operated outreach centers in Little Falls and Paterson, as well as staging areas in New Milford and Wayne communities, where people who were affected by the flooding could pick up clean-up kits, other relief items like water and snacks, and learn about Red Cross services.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like floods and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.