Additional flooding Friday night triggers more  evacuations

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA, PA — It’s been five days since Tropical Storm Isaias tracked through the region, causing widespread flash flooding. And another round of thunderstorms Friday evening only added to the problems, causing a new evacuation overnight in Avondale, Chester County.

As a result of this new evacuation, the Red Cross currently has more than 350 people staying in various shelters through Southeastern Pennsylvania. The majority are from Philadelphia’s Eastwick section as well as Delaware County. Since Tuesday the Red Cross has received more than 200 calls for assistance from residents of flooded homes. 

Today the Red Cross has more than 60 disaster workers providing care and comfort to those affected by the flooding. They are helping in shelters, serving meals, distributing clean up supplies and providing health services in shelters. In addition, several teams are out continuing to assess damage, and we’ll use that information to provide personalized recovery plans to those impacted by Isaias.

As of Friday night, the Red Cross and its community partners have served more than 700 meals and snacks and handed out approximately 500 clean up kits to residents. More clean up kits continue to be distributed through the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at Penrose Elementary School, 2515
S. 77th St. in the city. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Monday.

The Red Cross has the following safety tips when cleaning up after the flood:

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

• If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.
• Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water.
• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.
• Be careful when moving furnishings or debris, because they may be waterlogged and heavier.  
• Throw out items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.      
• Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. When in doubt, throw it out. This includes canned goods, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and containers with food or liquid that has been sealed shut.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.

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