DALLAS (Oct. 21, 2019) The American Red Cross North Texas Region is working with local government and our partners to provide help to people affected by the storms that impacted the region Sunday night. Damage has been reported in Dallas, Collin, Panola, and Van Zandt counties.

The Red Cross is working with the City of Dallas to provide safe shelter, warm meals and comfort for families affected by this storm. If you have been impacted by the storm and need a safe place to go, a Respite Center is open at Bachman Rec Center, 2750 Bachman Drive, Dallas. Red Cross disaster responders can also help facilitate the replacement of items like prescription medication and eyeglasses.

Red Cross and its partners, including the Salvation Army, are delivering food, water and supplies to displaced residents, disaster workers and first responders. Red Cross teams will be in impacted neighborhoods across the region to complete damage assessments in the coming days.

You can help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org or 1-800-REDCROSS. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

Your financial donation to the Red Cross helps provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters.

The Red Cross is not collecting donations of clothing or household items.

Post-Storm Safety:

After a storm, it is important to take the appropriate steps to keep yourself, your family and pets safe.

• Stay away from storm-damaged areas and heed all warnings from local officials.
• Continue to follow local media for updated information or instructions.
• Help people who may require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
• Watch your animals closely. Keep them under your direct control.

Power Outage Safety:

Keep your family and pets away from and report downed lines to your utility company.

• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment.
• You can find more information on important items to have during a power outage here.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to monitor different severe weather and emergency alerts and to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

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 Facebook and Twitter at @RedCrossNTX.