MONTPELIER, Vt., JULY 16, 2023 — Nearly 200 Red Cross volunteers from across the country are on the ground in Vermont supporting the disaster relief operation. This weekend’s focus centers on offering support and resources to Vermonters recovering from last week’s catastrophic flooding.

RED CROSS SERVICE DELIVERY

• Since shelters opened, the Red Cross and our partners have provided 429 overnight stays for more than 186 residents in four emergency shelters. There were no new shelter registrations overnight.
• With the help of partners, a total of 5,951 meals and snacks have been provided.
• To date, 4,504 relief items, including comfort kits and other supplies have been provided to people in need and 252 total households have been served.
• This Red Cross operation is supported by 197 trained Red Cross disaster workers. These individuals are on the ground to support recovery efforts, including 22 volunteers who are trained to support health and mental health services, and spiritual care needs in shelters and throughout the community.
  • From the Northern New England Region, there are 18 Red Crossers from Vermont; 26 from New Hampshire and 14 from Maine serving this operation.
• Preliminary damage assessment teams have completed 597 assessments, with 76 homes destroyed or sustaining major damage.

In the coming days, our Red Cross teams will make their way into even more communities to offer these services.

Our trained disaster workers continue to support two multi-agency resource centers (MARC) in Ludlow and Barre. These sites will be open today and tomorrow from 9 a.m – 5 p.m. – and serve as a “one stop shop” for people looking to access recovery services and programs, get a meal, pick up cleaning supplies and meet with mental health and spiritual care volunteers. Recovering from a disaster can be stressful. The Red Cross and our community partners are on hand to help navigate the process.

MULTI AGENCY RESOURCE CENTER LOCATIONS

B.O.R. Ice Arena (25 Auditorium Hill, Barre VT 05641)

Ludlow Recreation Center (37 Main Street, Ludlow VT)

The Red Cross continues to monitor the weather closely, keeping an eye on potential for flash flooding and severe thunderstorms. The Red Cross is urging Vermonters to be safe and follow the advice of emergency officials.

SAFETY TIPS

Turn around, don’t drown. Stay off the roads during heavy rainfall. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway while driving, turn around and go another way. 
 

• If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, be prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary. 
• Follow evacuation orders and do not attempt to return until officials say it is safe to do so. Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked. 
• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Head for higher ground and stay there.
• Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger.
• Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home.  
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwaters.  
• Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula. 
• Offer help to people who require special assistance including older adults, those without transportation, large families, people with disabilities and the people who care for them. 
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report them immediately to the power company. 
• If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety. 
• Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water. 
• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.

RED CROSS SHELTER LOCATIONS:

•  Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill, Barre)
• Rutland High School (22 Stratton Rd., Rutland)
• Northern Vermont University – Johnson campus (337 College Hill, Johnson)

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help people affected by disasters like flooding and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
 

• The Red Cross is not accepting donations of clothing or household items, as these types of donations divert resources away from our mission.
•  Due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of homecooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.

DONATE LIFESAVING BLOOD

Over the last several days, dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled blood drives. We anticipate fewer donors to come out to donate at drives in and around affected areas. Individuals in unaffected areas — especially those with type O blood types — are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.

• Please schedule an appointment to give blood today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org  or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

VOLUNTEER

To become a Red Cross volunteer visit http://www.redcross.org/volunteerNNE.

For additional help or to report damage, dial 2-1-1.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.