By: Dave Skutnik and Sophie Kluthe
More than 300 displaced residents woke up in Red Cross shelters as disaster workers kicked off the fourth day of the response following Hurricane Isaias in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Our teams have been busy providing care and comfort, hundreds of hot meals and snacks, and recovery support to those impacted by the flooding.
his home in Delaware County flooded Tuesday.
Since Tuesday, the Red Cross has received over 200 calls for assistance, and as the response has grown, so has our team of trained Red Cross disaster workers. As of today, August 7th, more than 75 trained Red Cross disaster workers from all over the country were part of the recovery effort in Southeastern Pennsylvania. That team includes workers physically in the region, and those who are supporting the effort virtually from as far away as California, Oregon, and Florida.
Red Cross damage assessment workers have been out in hard hit areas, getting eyes on the impacted homes, and gathering information about homes that were affected by flooding. Our teams will use that information to help families create individualized recovery plans. In addition, Red Cross cleanup kits are being distributed at two city locations to help residents clean up and disinfect their homes after Tuesday’s devastating flash flooding.
Jessica Wright was cleaning mud and flood debris out of her garage Friday morning, saying this was the worst flooding she’s experienced in that area since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Wright said a family member had to come home and wade through flood water to get inside and rescue their dog.
Isaias is just the latest storm in an already very busy start to the 2020 hurricane season. Across the country the Red Cross has responded to the call to help after Cristobal, Douglas, Hannah and Isaias brought wind damage and flooding. That’s why the Red Cross needs volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.
In addition, if you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.
More information on volunteering is available by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday. Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.
Leave a Reply