The American Red Cross works year round to respond to more than 60,000 hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and other incidents each year.

Trained Red Cross paid and volunteer staff are ready to respond when a disaster threatens or strikes.  These Red Cross workers come from all walks of life, many from our own community.

Red Cross Chapters work in their communities to help the public prevent, prepare for and cope with disasters.  The Red Cross provides free information on disasters - to help people plan for specific types of disaster, reduce traumatic impact, prevent injuries, save lives and reduce the loss of property.

Red Cross Disaster Services include:

Emergency Mass Care

Immediately following a disaster, the Red Cross provides emergency shelter, food, medicine and first aid to provide for basic human needs. 

Following major disasters Red Cross workers distribute food and home clean-up items throughout the affected areas.

Emergency Assistance

This assistance meets immediate emergency needs.  The Red Cross enables victims of disasters to resume living independently by providing the means for them to pay for what they need most, groceries, new clothing, temporary housing, emergency home repairs, transportation, basic household items, medicines and tools.

Long Term Recovery

The Red Cross also helps when all other resources, such as insurance benefits and government assistance, are not available or are inadequate to meet disaster related needs.  All Red Cross aid is provided on an individual basis, based on verified disaster caused needs and at no cost.

Additional Services

Red Cross disaster relief work also includes the following:

• Feeding emergency workers
• Referring those affected by disaster to other available resources
• Handling inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area
• Providing disaster related physical and mental health services and specialized counseling

All Red Cross disaster assistance is provided free of charge