American Red Cross
of Central Alabama
5015 Woods Crossing
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 260-3980
 

Distribution Centers Offer Clean-Up Supplies, Bottled Water

Distribution Centers for clean-up items, bottled water, and toiletry items have been set up in the hard-hit communities of Marietta, Powder Springs, and Austell.  They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Red Cross has distributed more than 44,000 bulk items.  Clean-up supplies include push brooms, mops, buckets, disinfectants, liquid cleaners, bleach, gloves, and garbage bags. Bottled water and toiletry items are also being distributed.  There are four locations:

17 Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance

President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 17 counties: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Cobb, Chattooga, Cherokee, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker counties.

The number to call for FEMA assistance is 1-800-621-3362.  Red Cross mental health counselors and volunteers are stationed at the Disaster Recovery Centers in Cobb, DeKalb, and Douglasville today, and will expand their presence to other locations later this week.

The Red Cross is also helping families in Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina, who were forced to evacuate their homes. In Alabama, there was sporadic flooding in Hale, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Shelby, and Jefferson counties; in North Carolina, there was flooding in Transylvania County; and in Tennessee, residents in Walker and Hamilton counties were impacted by flood waters.

Vice President Biden: “Red Cross doing God’s Work”

Vice President Joe Biden was in Georgia last Friday to tour the flood damage.  After visiting the Red Cross shelter in Cobb County, he exclaimed, “The Red Cross is doing God’s work.”

Flood Waters Turn Deadly

Media reports indicate that 10 people have died as a result of the floods, including a toddler ripped from his mother's arms as their mobile home was swept into a creek.  A Lawrenceville woman was driving when her van was swept into a creek. A rescue team deployed an inflatable boat and firefighters on foot also used a rope system to navigate the rising tide as they waded in to search for the woman. She was found deceased inside the van. Carroll County rescuers found "people hanging from trees, hanging onto their babies."

Disasters Change Lives, You Can Too:  Here's How to Help

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss; your support will help ensure that we can be there for the families who have been devastated by this disaster.  All Red Cross disaster relief is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money to the Disaster Relief Fund.  The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to those affected by disasters such as the current floods.

• Donate money. You can help people affected by disasters like the current floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• Donate blood. The need for blood is constant and the Southern Blood Services Region is committed to continuing to provide blood and blood products to those in need at all times.
  Visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to find a drive near you.
• Donate your time. Sign up as a Red Cross volunteer. Visit www.redcross.org.

All Red Cross disaster relief is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money to the Disaster Relief Fund.  The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to those affected by disasters such as the current floods.

Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Your gift gives the Red Cross the capacity to prepare communities for disasters and to be among the fist on the scene after a disaster strikes.