By: Dave Skutnik and Sophie Kluthe 

It’s been nearly a week since Tropical Storm Isaias tracked through Southeastern Pennsylvania, causing widespread flooding and even tornadoes. Another round of storms Friday evening only added to the problems, causing new evacuations in part of the area. 

Since the storm the American Red Cross has received more than 200 calls for assistance from local residents impacted by flooding. Preliminary damage estimates show more than 500 homes in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties received at least some flood damage. Teams have been out assessing this damage, and the Red Cross will use that information to provide personalized recovery plans this week to those impacted by Isaias. 

And as of Monday, August 10, there were still more than 350 people staying in Red Cross shelters at hotels throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Ensuring people have a safe place to stay if they can’t return home after a disaster is a critical part of our mission. The coronavirus pandemic puts additional stress on families seeking shelter, which is why we’ve prioritized individual hotel rooms to keep families safe. 

As the scope of the recovery effort broadens, the Red Cross has called in help from all over the country, and now has at least 95 dedicated Red Cross disaster workers providing care and comfort to those affected by the flooding. They are helping in shelters, serving meals, distributing clean up supplies and providing health services in shelters. 

Ron and Debbie Brandon have been staying at one of the Red Cross shelters since they had to leave their home in Delaware County last Tuesday because of flooding. These shelters are staffed all day, with Red Cross workers providing information and helping to coordinate meals, snacks, and distribute comfort items like toothbrushes. 

“They’re very helpful,” Ron Brandon said.  

As they picked up their dinner Friday night, they said the Red Cross came through to provide the essentials during their time of need.  

“I just don’t know what we would do without them,” Debbie Brandon said. “You couldn’t’ meet nicer people.” 

It’s thanks to the dedication of Red Cross disaster workers, who are mostly volunteers, and community partners, that help is getting to where it’s needed most. Responding to disasters is a team effort. Together with The Salvation Army, the Red Cross has been able to serve about 1,400 meals to those staying in its shelters.  

Many have already begun the arduous task of cleaning up what the flood waters left behind. This includes debris, mud, and contaminated flood water. The Red Cross has provided more than 500 cleanup kits to help with this process. These kits include a broom, mop, gloves and disinfectant, and have been distributed to impacted residents by the Philadelphia Fire Department.  

Michele Green received one of these kits over the weekend while scrubbing out her home in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. She said that “everything from the back door to the front door” was flooded. 

Regarding the cleanup kit Green said, “This will help us out, we’ll have plenty of stuff to clean,” noting that the process would likely take days, if not weeks.  

Additional clean up kits continue to be distributed through the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at Penrose Elementary School, 2515 S. 77^th St. in the city. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, August 10. 

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted each and every aspect of this disaster response. All Red Cross disaster workers are wearing masks at all times, disinfecting often, and social distancing as much as possible. Those who can work virtually are doing so to limit the potential spread of illness.

In Red Cross hotel shelters, masks are being distributed to displaced residents, meals are being served in individually packaged servings, and trained healthcare volunteers are screening everyone who enters for symptoms of COVID-19. The safety and well-being of Red Cross workers and the people they serve are of utmost importance.