SOUTH CAROLINA, June 24, 2024 – Disaster-trained volunteers from the American Red Cross of South Carolina are deploying to support disaster relief operations in Iowa/Nebraska following historic flooding and to Southern New Mexico, where wildfires have displaced thousands. 

Red Cross disaster teams are working with emergency officials and local partners to quickly provide comfort and support to people impacted by these disasters. More help, along with emergency response vehicles filled with relief supplies, is on the way.

Six SC volunteers are on the ground or on their way to Northwest Iowa, where flooding broke records after storms dropped 10 inches of rain — up to 15 inches in some areas — across parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Homes and farms are underwater along multiple rivers, including the Little Sioux, the Big Sioux and the Rock. Forecasters expect the high water to threaten communities downstream over several days. 

Two SC volunteers are on the ground as the Red Cross is helping in southern New Mexico, where as many as 8,000 people have been forced from their homes as massive wildfires continue to burn. The South Fork and Salt fires have scorched more than 23,000 acres near Ruidoso and are still burning out of control. Early reports indicate as many as 1,400 structures are destroyed ─ this may include 500 homes, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.

The American Red Cross is working around the clock to help those affected by multiple disasters nationwide. Trained Red Cross disaster workers responded immediately, opening shelters to provide refuge from the flooding and wildfires. Working with officials and partners, our teams are providing evacuees with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support during this challenging time and preparing to expand relief efforts if needed. 

The Red Cross of South Carolina stands ready to deploy more Disaster-Trained workers as needed.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like flooding, wildfires and countless other crises by making a gift to 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 (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER Every day, the American Red Cross sees the heartbreak of people trying to cope with more intense storms, heavier rainfall, higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes, and more devastating wildfires. As more people rely on the Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater. This spring, consider volunteering with the American Red Cross in one of our urgently needed volunteer opportunities. Learn more at redcross.org/volunteer.

CLIMATE CRISIS The American Red Cross is taking urgent action in response to the climate crisis, which is disrupting lives and entire communities as the frequency and intensity of extreme weather rapidly increases around the globe. The Red Cross stands on the frontlines of the climate crisis with families and communities — responding to rapidly intensifying storms, extreme heat, record floods and widespread wildfires. Our changing climate is a humanitarian crisis for the communities and people we serve, and as fast as we’re working to adapt, the needs are escalating faster. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC 

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