Shelter to serve area residents affected by severe flooding
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross will open a third regional disaster shelter in White River Junction in response to catastrophic flooding. This shelter is located at Hartford High School (37 Highland Ave). It will open today at 5:00 p.m. This shelter will be managed by the Red Cross – and pets are welcome.
More than eight inches of rain has fallen in a matter of days and resulted in road closures and evacuations. Impacts in Vermont are being compared to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
Many areas are still inaccessible due to flooding as rivers overflow. As it becomes safe to travel, we anticipate the number of shelters open and residents will grow. The Red Cross continues to work closely with local and state emergency management and government officials to navigate disaster relief efforts in response to severe flooding throughout the state.
ADDITIONAL RED CROSS SHELTER LOCATIONS:
- Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill, Barre)
- Rutland High School (22 Stratton Rd., Rutland)
The Red Cross is partnering with the Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART) to welcome and is welcoming pets at all three shelters.
Individuals evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of their family, including:
- Prescription and emergency medications
- Foods that meet special dietary requirements
- Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
- Chargers for any electronic devices
- Books, games and other forms of entertainment
- Crates, carriers, medications, food, toys, etc. for pets
For help or for additional information, dial 2-1-1.
The Red Cross wants to remind Vermonters: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over – and 12 inches can carry your vehicle away.
- If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before going home.
- Avoid fallen power lines, poles, and wires. They can electrocute you.
- Watch out for falling trees and other debris.
- Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles, to reduce fire risk.
- Many injuries happen during cleanup. Wear protective equipment, like boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear, and an N95 respirator to protect your lungs. Follow the advice of local public health officials.
All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public. You can help people affected by disasters like flooding and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
This significant flooding event is impacting Red Cross blood collection efforts as well. It is estimated that this flooding event will result in approximately 500 pints of lifesaving blood going uncollected and about a dozen drive cancellations. This storm comes at a time when the Red Cross is sending blood donations to hospitals faster than they are coming in. The Red Cross is asking donors who live in unaffected areas to schedule and keep their upcoming appointments to help prevent a summer blood shortage.
By scheduling and keeping appointments in July, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
To become a Red Cross volunteer visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.
Source: WHITE RIVER JCT., Vt., JULY 11, 2023 — American Red Cross
