American Red Cross Estimates Hurricane Charley Relief Costs to Top $50 Million

American Red Cross Estimates Hurricane Charley Relief Costs to Top $50 Million

News Release: August 23, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

Initial assessments of the American Red Cross response to Hurricane Charley stand at an estimated $50 million to date, forcing the organization to launch a nationwide fund-raising campaign.

Red Cross workers, volunteers and supporters are working hard to help thousands of victims in their darkest hours, commented national Red Cross officials. The organization’s Disaster Relief Fund – the sole resource for disaster response, must maintain a healthy balance. To do this, the Red Cross needs the support of the American people.

“As always, the public and our philanthropic friends throughout the country are answering the call for help – but much more is still needed to ensure that the Red Cross is able to respond now and in the near and distant future,” John Hughes, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, said. “We hope that Americans continue their generosity, as the Red Cross faces its fifth most expensive disaster in its history.”

“Locally, our Chapter has been asked to raise $70,778 to help meet the $50 million goal,” said Hughes. “Nearly 12,000 current and former Red Cross donors in the Lehigh Valley will receive a direct mail appeal asking for a donation over and above their annual giving of support to help with the critical needs following Hurricane Charley.

“In addition, we will be calling on local corporations and businesses for their financial support and are making an appeal to the general public.”

Prior to today’s (8/23) announcement of a direct mail campaign, about $5,000 has been donated locally to support the relief efforts. “This is a wonderful outpouring of support from Lehigh Valley residents to people they have never met, but have compassion for the heartbreak and destruction faced by these residents,” Hughes said.

“So many Lehigh Valley residents have a connection to those affected in Florida. We’ve received 30 inquiries to date from area families regarding the welfare of loved ones in the hardest hit areas.”

The Red Cross will be on-site for the long haul, commented Hughes. As people begin to rebuild their homes and lives, Red Cross is estimating the need to provide casework and other longer-term help to 30,000 to 40,000 families.

“As we discover more families that need help, the number of people requesting Red Cross assistance will continue to increase,” added Hughes. “The amount of stress is taking a great toll on the people affected. Debilitating weather conditions, ongoing water and power disruption and lack of housing are making it difficult for residents to cope.”

Last Saturday (8/21), local Red Cross volunteer Joan Steinmetz of Orefield left for a two-week assignment in Florida. Steinmetz is part of a family services outreach team that will travel throughout Port Charlotte, Fla., to meet with affected residents and provide for their recovery needs. Steinmetz has been a volunteer for 11 years and served at a number of high-profile disasters including the terrorist attacks in New York City in 2001, the wildfires in New Mexico in 1999, Hurricane Floyd (Philadelphia) in 1999, Hurricane George (Puerto Rico) in 1998, and flooding in California and Louisiana in 1995.

Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation (Florida)
Information at a Glance
Total to Date (Aug. 11 to Aug. 23, 2004)

• Shelters/evacuation centers - 253
• Shelter Population - 101,744
• Emergency Aid Stations - 19
• Bulk Distribution Routes - 32
• Service Centers - 9
• Meals and Snacks - 1,565,915
• Health Services Contacts - 3,078
• Mental Health Contacts - 4,203
• ERVs Deployed - 134

• American Red Cross trained disaster relief workers from all 50 states, two U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have been deployed to Florida to assist with relief efforts.

• 2,444 American Red Cross disaster relief workers served on the operation yesterday (8/22); more than 999 are local community volunteers.

• Preliminary Red Cross reports show that more than 12,000 homes have been destroyed in Florida; another 19,000 suffered major damage; 33,000 had minor damage; 20,000 were affected in some manner; and 5,600 remain inaccessible.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or dropped off at the office Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Checks may also be mailed to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. or www.redcrosslv.org.