Two weeks after tragic flooding upturned lives and destroyed hundreds of homes across Eastern Kentucky, the American Red Cross is still there, working around the clock with our partners to provide comfort and critical support to help those in need.
This is an incredibly challenging situation, and we are working closely with local officials to make sure people have the help they need as they begin the long road to recovery. Some areas remain cut off due to damaged roads and bridges and Red Cross disaster workers are bringing food and relief supplies to people by boat. Preliminary damage reports indicate that nearly 1,400 homes were either destroyed or suffered major damage.
RED CROSS RESPONSE Today, some 400 trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in Kentucky helping to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support for those affected by this tragedy. Volunteers are also replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment, like canes and wheelchairs, which were left behind in the rush to get to safety.
Wednesday night, the Red Cross and our partners provided comfort and care for more than 430 residents in 13 shelters across Eastern Kentucky. Since the flooding hit the region, the Red Cross and our partners have provided a total of nearly 6,000 overnight stays for residents forced to leave their homes. More than a dozen Red Cross emergency response vehicles are circulating through the hardest hit communities with volunteers providing meals and cleanup supplies.
With the support of local partners, the Red Cross has helped to provide some 81,000 meals and snacks to people in need. In addition, we’ve given out thousands of critical relief items to over 1,400 households.
Red Cross care teams are meeting with families who have lost loved ones to offer specialized support including disaster mental health services and other information.
See photos and read more at Red Cross.org