Thousands of Residents Affected by Devastating Floods

Six volunteers from Northeast Ohio are among the Red Cross workers assisting West Virginians affected by summer flooding.

The floods were caused by heavy rain that fell on Thursday, June 23.  More than two dozen fatalities have been attributed to the flooding, and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed.

“I am always in awe of the power of something so simple as water,” said Mary Williams, a Red Cross Communications Officer from the Northeast Ohio Region, who arrived in West Virginia on Saturday, along with a growing number of volunteers.

“The number of volunteers responding to this disaster is amazing,” said Charlotte Rerko, Chief Operating Officer of the Northeast Ohio Region.  “It’s people helping people at it’s best.”

Red Cross volunteers are providing support and comfort to people affected by the flooding, by operating or supporting 13 shelters for people who lost their homes or who were forced to evacuate.  Some 1,200 people had a safe, dry place to stay Sunday night.

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Mother Tianna Butler and her daughter Skyler. Randall and his wife Tianna Butler recently moved into an upstairs apartment with their two-year-old daughter named Skyler. Tianna is 8 months pregnant. “Last Thursday the rains started. It came up really fast. When we saw the hillside crumble from the water we called 911, who told us it was safer to stay in the top part of the house rather than risk moving outdoors with all the flooding going on”, says Randall. “I was getting contractions from all the stress,” says Tianna. She and Skyler were rescued on Saturday at 12:30 a.m. and brought to the Red Cross shelter at Capital High School in Charleston. Randall joined them later. “We really appreciate what the Red Cross has done,” says Randall. “I never had any encounter with the Red Cross nor do I know anyone who has dealt with them, but everything they did has been top-notch; they are really professional.” But the Butlers remain concerned about the future. The money that they put into moving and fixing up their new apartment is now gone with the floodwaters. Having so recently moved, they hadn’t yet purchased any home insurance. “I hope we get some assistance or we will be on the sidewalk somewhere,” says Randall. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Lucille Chandler speaks with American Red Cross staff Joanna King. 90-year-old Lucille Chandler’s home in Clendenin was flooded on Thursday. She and her daughter were rescued by a neighbor who had a boat. He transported them to a nearby church that was partially flooded, but where the top floor was still dry and used by local residents seeking shelter. Yesterday she was brought to the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into an Red Cross shelter. “I really appreciate what the Red Cross has done for me,” explains Lucille, ”I have a problem walking and the Red Cross volunteers bring me around in a wheelchair”. The next step for Lucille’s Red Cross assistance will be handled by caseworkers. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. 90-year-old Lucille Chandler’s home in Clendenin was flooded on Thursday. She and her daughter were rescued by a neighbor who had a boat. He transported them to a nearby church that was partially flooded, but where the top floor was still dry and used by local residents seeking shelter. Yesterday she was brought to the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into a Red Cross shelter. “I really appreciate what the Red Cross has done for me,” explains Lucille,” I have a problem walking and the Red Cross volunteers bring me around in a wheelchair”. The next step for Lucille’s Red Cross assistance will be handled by caseworkers. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Charleston, West Virginia. Floods. Heather Shafer and her one-year-old daughter Sarah lives with her parents in East Clendenin. Their home was flooded and they now staying at the Capital High School gymnasium in Charleston which has been turned into a Red Cross shelter. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. Kari Thompson, a member of the “Fire Breather Fitness” a CrossFit group from Charleston, join other members of the fitness group who are volunteering to help clean the flooded home in Clendenin of an aunt of one of their members. The home was flooded when the nearby Elk River broke its banks on Thursday following heavy rains. In the background are the children (Evelyn, Tura and Ethan – left to right) of an another member of the fitness group who are helping out as well. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. In an area of Clendenin which was completely submerged during the floods site, American Red Cross volunteer and State Senator, Chris Walters, helps distribute cleanup kits. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

June 26, 2016. Clendenin, West Virginia. Floods. American Red Cross employee Joanna King speaking with and assessing flood damage at home of Joan Parker. Parker’s home in Clendenin was flooded when the nearby Elk River broke its banks on Thursday following heavy rains. She and her 97-year-old mother who live in the house were rescued by the fire department who paddled up to the front door. Her sister Tammy Parker (yellow shirt) and a friend of the family, are helping them with the cleanup. Looking at the pile of mud-soaked belongings piled in front of her home, Joan reflects, “it’s just stuff; what’s important is that we didn’t lose anybody we know”. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross

An Emergency Response Vehicle based at the Summit, Portage and Medina Counties chapter in Akron was also dispatched to the area, to bring food and other supplies to the flood-affected residents of West Virginia.

Because it’s such a traumatic time for so many families unexpectedly forced from their homes,  Red Cross disaster mental health workers have also been sent to the area to give the residents guidance on how to prepare for the return to their homes.  And Red Cross health workers are helping to replace needed items like prescription medications and eyeglasses.

More help is on the way, with more volunteers, emergency vehicles and other supplies on the way to West Virginia.  As of Monday, there were 150 Red Cross personnel assisting with the recovery effort.

We need your help.  Entire families have lost their homes and everything they own.  Your support will help people affected by disasters big and small.  You can donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org  or calling 1-800 RED CROSS.  Or you can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

You can prepare for floods and stay safe when they occur by following a few steps, including:

• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and heed evacuation orders when given. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters.
• 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. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency App,  to have safety information, severe weather alerts and shelter locations available on your mobile device.