Red Cross Reports Record Disaster Responses in July (Photo)

RED CROSS REPORTS RECORD DISASTER RESPONSES IN JULY (PHOTO)


News Release from American Red Cross - Cascades Region
Posted on FlashAlert: August 6th, 2015 9:01 AM
Downloadable file: Red Cross? volunteers speak with ??Milo? resident David Evans following a ?community meeting at the Milo Fire Department. Red Cross distributed water, snacks and disaster preparedness information at the meeting, which took place under a thick blanket of s
A series of wildfires and other events, including a building explosion and home fires, kept
Red Cross Cascades Region volunteers busy throughout the month.

August 6, 2015 - The American Red Cross Cascades Region responded to 68 local disasters across Oregon and Southwest Washington during the month of July, which is a 45 percent increase over July 2014. Red Cross volunteers helped 242 people with casework services and opened four shelters to ensure people had a safe place to stay when their homes were impacted by disasters.

"The Red Cross is there - whenever, wherever disasters strike. We respond day or night thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners," said Cascades Region Red Cross Chief Executive Officer Amy Shlossman. "We can stretch our dollars so effectively because of our volunteers who are willing to respond at a moment's notice and help complete strangers in their greatest time of need."

Red Cross volunteers on Tuesday, August 4, quickly mobilized to open a shelter in Roosevelt, Wash., due to Level 3 evacuations from a growing wildfire. Local Red Cross disaster response teams are currently monitoring a wildfire in Northeast Oregon and have a shelter team and facility on standby if needed.

Red Cross Team members from across the region came together during the last week in July to support communities affected by wildfires in Douglas County. They swiftly opened a shelter in Canyonville, Ore., due to Level 3 evacuations from growing Stouts and Cable Crossing wildfires. Red Cross participated in community meetings and provided water, meals, snacks, and information about Red Cross services. In addition, they supplied disaster preparedness resources to more than 750 people.

In early July, Red Cross volunteers in Marion and Polk counties opened a shelter due to wildfire activity in Monmouth, Ore. Other early July responses included canteen services in Pendleton after a fire and explosion at the old City Hall building, and a shelter opening to serve residents of an apartment fire in Multnomah County.

The Red Cross Cascades Region is ready to respond to disasters large and small with a trained disaster workforce, more than 1,000 identified shelter locations, and disaster trailers and supplies prepositioned throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Disaster response services are funded by the generous support of individual donors, foundations and corporate partners. You can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief in Oregon and Southwest Washington by visiting www.redcross.org/donate, by calling (503)528-5634 or by mailing donations to P.O. Box 4125, Portland, OR, 90708.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 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 www.redcross.org/cascades. Or, read about Red Cross volunteers at http://redcrosscascade.blogspot.com/.
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