Community Corner
American Red Cross Helping Victims of the Mississippi River Flooding
The Mississippi River flooding is the latest in a series of natural disasters taking out areas of the south and mid-west in recent weeks.
Since the end of March the American Red Cross has launched a total of 20 different relief operations across the United States in response to tornadoes and other natural disasters throughout the southeastern region of the country. Now they are preparing to respond to the Mississippi River flooding that has devastated areas of the south.
“We’ve got about 400 Red Cross workers in Memphis working on the Mississippi flooding,” said Cheryl Kravitz, Director of Marketing and Communications for American Red Cross. “About 400 people spent Sunday night in shelters there, and we’re preparing right now to feed and shelter as many people as we need to because we’re just spread thin throughout the south with so many disasters that have taken place.”
On Thursday the governors of Mississippi and Louisiana each declared a state of emergency and issued flood warnings.
Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Kravitz also said that the Red Cross has deployed relief efforts in a total of 11 different states that experienced damaged during the month of April from flooding and tornadoes.
According to CNN the Mississippi River is at the highest flood level its ever been since 1937. President Obama declared the affected areas to be worthy of federal funds relief, and the Army is currently sending troops to areas already affected by the flooding.
Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As of Monday morning the river flooded parts of Memphis’ famed Beale Street and the River levees are reaching their limits.
“The Red Cross is preparing people who are living along the Mississippi River for feeding and shelter, we stay until every last person has a safe place to stay and eat with supplies,” said Kravitz.
Kravitz said the Red Cross is looking for monetary donations to help aid people with food, clothing and other necessary supplies as they are continually forced out of their homes and businesses.
Locally, Falls Church residents can contact the Fairfax Red Cross location (8550 Arlington Boulevard Fairfax, VA) for information on making donations. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a 10 dollar donation.
Are you a church or humanitarian group in the area making relief efforts available to people along the Mississippi River? If so leave comments on how Falls Church residents can help.
