The American Red Cross will be busy today, helping residents of North Platte who were impacted by flood water from the South Platte River over the weekend. The Red Cross will also hit the streets with our UMCORS partners, to hand out clean up kits to homeowners who are able to get back into their homes.

On Sunday, a second push of floodwater from the swollen South Platte forced additional water into streets and people’s basements. Teams of Red Cross workers spent the day delivering water and snacks to sandbaggers and first responders in North Platte. In addition, Red Cross workers focused their attention to neighboring towns by helping emergency managers deliver flooding information to homeowners along the North Platte River and by positioning two Red Cross vehicles in Gothenburg. These vehicles have necessary supplies for Red Cross workers to help residents during flooding, if the need arises. Finally, sandbaggers in Brady and Maxwell received snacks and water from the Red Cross.

“In the days and weeks to come, the American Red Cross will maintain our partnership with emergency officials and local community partners to help residents impacted by the flood get back on their feet,” said Susan Epps, Disaster Program Director. “We are monitoring water levels to our east and encourage residents who live along the Platte River to prepare for possible flood water.”

 

As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life or death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for floods by:

• Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.

 

• Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents and other emergency items for the whole family.
  • Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information.  A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A food WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

 

• Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. 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.

 

How to Help:

People across the flooded areas need help now. The Red Cross has launched a massive relief effort to help people who have been devastated by flood water and need the continued support of the public. People can make a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Volunteering:
*Community members who want to volunteer with the American Red Cross can register by visiting Redcross.org/neia.

Residents who need immediate assistance should call the Central Plains Chapter
toll free number: 1-888-382-3790.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.