In response to the historic flooding forecasted to impact communities along the Arkansas River, the American Red Cross has the following shelter location(s) open:

• Evangel Temple, 1110 South 12 Street, Fort Smith, AR
• Dardanelle Community Center, 2011 State Highway 22, Dardanelle, AR
• Don Owens Center, 10 Lower Ridge Road, Conway, AR (location includes a temporary pet shelter provided by the Faulkner County Animal Response Team)

Thirty-seven people stayed in Red Cross shelters overnight – 12 in Faulkner County and 25 in Sebastian County.

Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. Individuals and families are encouraged to bring the following items with them:

• clothing for a few days
• bedding
• toiletries
• essential medication
• a child’s stuffed animal, blanket or other items for your children

“We are in constant communication with local emergency management officials and have trained disaster response staff and volunteers ready to respond to support the community,” Julie Brown, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter said.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.