In 2023, people in the U.S. turned to the American Red Cross for help after an all-time high of 25 billion-dollar disasters struck the nation. Red Crossers from Texas deployed to relief efforts in Guam following Typhoon Mawar; Arkansas, after tornadoes struck Little Rock, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Idalia and Maui after the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in 100 years devastated the historic community of Lahaina.
The North Texas Region had its share of disasters, too. Hereford and Amarillo saw significant flooding, deadly tornadoes upended lives in Perryton and Matador, families sweltered in the second-hottest summer on record in Texas and home fires impacted thousands. Red Crossers delivered safe shelter, nutritious meals, emotional support and vital financial assistance in North Texas communities on a near-constant basis in 2023.
Extreme weather and climate disasters caused tens of millions of dollars in damage in North Texas and forced many families to start over with nothing. Red Crossers responded to more than 1,600 disasters in the North Texas Region in 2023, including more than 60 tornadoes, over 300 floods and nearly 100 other disasters, including the mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas. They helped provide recovery assistance to more than 8,000 individuals and more than 2,250 families, opened and operated shelters, set up numerous temporary evacuation points and worked with partner organizations to get people back on their feet after a disaster.
“Extreme disasters are causing ever-increasing humanitarian needs for families in our region and across the country,” Red Cross North Texas CEO Linda Braddy said. “Our dedicated volunteers make our lifesaving work possible by providing immediate relief for people impacted by disasters large and small.”
Most disasters that befell North Texans were home fires, the nation’s most frequent disasters. Trained Red Cross volunteers responded to more than 1,400 single-family fires and more than 700 multi-family fires, affecting more than 6,000 people from the Panhandle to East Texas and all parts in between. They provided emotional support, helped families find a place to stay and assisted with their recovery needs.
This year, the North Texas Region marked a milestone in its Home Fire Campaign. In October, it celebrated the installation of its 50,000th free smoke alarm at Sound the Alarm events in Dallas, Tyler and Wichita Falls. Volunteers installed more than 3,800 free smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm in 2023, making nearly 1,500 homes safer. These efforts are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,002 lives nationwide, including at least 22 lives in North Texas, since launching in October 2014.
Extreme weather also impacted Red Cross blood collection efforts nationwide in 2023. Hurricane Idalia caused significant collection disruptions when it struck the Florida Big Bend area as a category 3 storm and passed through the Southeast U.S. in August. The storm forced the cancellation of dozens of drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of donations from the summer months, causing the Red Cross to experience a blood shortage during the fall before the national blood supply rebounded in November.
“We are grateful for the thousands of Texans who rolled up a sleeve throughout the year to donate blood as well,” Braddy said. “They stepped up to help us overcome the supply shortages we faced in 2023. Their generosity is critical to ensuring an adequate, reliable blood supply.”
Despite the incredible outpouring of support from blood donors during the national blood shortage, the need for blood is constant. Make an appointment to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
With the growing frequency and intensity of disasters and the relentlessness of home fires, the Red Cross is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. Red Crossers responded to more than a thousand crises in North Texas and tens of thousands of other disasters across the country in 2023, providing care and comfort to those who need support in the face of extreme weather and other emergencies.
The lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is possible thanks to volunteers and donors who turn their compassion into action. Get involved and help those in need.
Donate: Visit redcross.org/gift to give a meaningful gift by making a donation. Contributions of any size provide hope during a crisis.
Give Blood: Patients count on the kindness and generosity of blood donors every day. Give blood or platelets to help make a lifesaving difference for those in need. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment today.
Volunteer: Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to review the most urgently needed volunteer positions.
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