Red Cross Handles Nonstop Calls for Flood Assistance
News Release: September 19, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Local American Red Cross volunteers and employees have been working tirelessly around-the-clock to provide relief for residents after heavy rains caused destructive flooding in the Lehigh Valley early Saturday (9/18) morning.
Yesterday, the Red Cross opened five shelters to meet people’s emergency needs for food, shelter, emotional counseling and basic first aid. Two of the five shelters remain open as of Sunday afternoon. They are: St. Anthony’s Youth Center, 901 Washington Street, Easton; and the Lower Mt. Bethel Township Building, 6984 Route 611, Lower Mt. Bethel.
“Volunteers have been in the affected areas since it was safe to do so, meeting the basic needs of the flood victims,” said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services for the local Red Cross. “Already, dozens of people have sought Red Cross assistance. Mental health support is also being provided to help the flood victims cope with the emotional strain.”
It is not known at this time how many families will be able to return to their homes. Red Cross officials are working with emergency management and local police and fire departments to ensure the safety of individuals affected by the flooding.
In the coming days and weeks of recovery, the American Red Cross will continue to provide assistance to the people affected by the flooding as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.
Anyone affected by flooding in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties should call the local Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.
All 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 hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan 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 to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org or www.redcrosslv.org.
