Red Cross still helping Northeast recover from storm
Areas of New Jersey still flooded, more than 4,400 people go to shelters
April 24, 2007 – More than a week after a Nor’easter storm blew through the Northeast, the American Red Cross is still running shelters and helping thousands of residents clean up their homes and businesses. The Red Cross is actively helping people in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. In New Jersey, which was hit the hardest, shelters are still open for many people who cannot return home. In Mamaroneck, NY, two buildings began to collapse over the weekend, forcing people out of their homes and into Red Cross shelters.
In Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Red Cross has been out in communities, serving food and delivering clean-up kits – which contain items such as a bucket, mop, detergent, broom and other cleaning supplies. Employees and volunteers have also handed out comfort kits, containing toiletries. Some facts:
- More than 4,400 people have sought refuge in Red Cross shelters from flooding or power outages.
- The Red Cross has handed out more than 7,900 clean-up kits, containing items such as a bucket, mop, detergent, broom and other cleaning supplies.
- More than 5,700 comfort kits, containing toiletries, have been distributed.
- More than 50,000 meals have been served in shelters and in the community.
- More than 48,500 snacks have been served in shelters and in the community.
The storm will cost $5 million in Red Cross relief across the Northeast, according to initial estimates. Affected Red Cross chapters are reaching out to their donors and communities and asking for contributions to help provide assistance to victims of flooding in the Northeast. People interested in making a financial contribution can do so by contacting their local chapter or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest
U.S. supplier of blood and blood products. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
RED CROSS RESPONSE TO APRIL 2007 NOR’EASTER
The most recent figures state by state:
New Jersey
Shelters opened: 12
Meals served: 19,023
Snacks served: 33,781
Clean-up kits distributed: 5,935
Comfort kits distributed: 4,239
Total employees and volunteers: 979
New York
Shelters opened: 30
Meals served: 11,791
Snacks served: 6,835
Clean-up kits distributed: 1,144
Comfort kits distributed: 976
Total employees and volunteers: 507
Massachusetts
Shelters opened: 8
Meals served: 3,786
Snacks served: 2,719
Clean-up kits distributed: 72
Total employees and volunteers: 214
New Hampshire
Shelters opened: 13
Meals served: 13,078
Snacks served: 3,356
Clean-up kits distributed: 620
Comfort kits distributed: 119
Total employees and volunteers: 299
Maine
Shelters opened: 5
People sheltered: 412
Meals served: 1,930
Snacks served: 1,160
Comfort kits distributed: 386
Total employees and volunteers: 115
Connecticut
Shelters opened: 7
Meals served: 368
Snacks served: 652
Clean-up kits distributed: 143
Comfort kits distributed: 47
Total employees and volunteers: 176
