The American Red Cross West Virginia Region is assisting residents impacted by flooding last week.  Our first priority is to ensure that everyone affected has a safe and comforting place to stay while providing food, emergency relief supplies, emotional support, health services and recovery assistance.  Shelters are currently open in Marion County at North Marion High School in Farmington and Hundred High School in Hundred.

“The Red Cross is helping those impacted by the flooding and will continue to help meet their immediate needs of food, shelter and distribution of cleaning supplies.  Our hearts go out to all of those affected and we will continue to be available to them as they begin to recover,” says Erica Mani, Chief Executive Director for the American Red Cross West Virginia Region.

Damage assessment teams spent the day in the impacted areas that are accessible and will continue over the next few days to identify impacted homes.  Distribution of cleaning supplies also began in the Northern Panhandle and will continue in the days ahead throughout the impacted areas.

Disasters such as this flooding, create a wide range of emergency needs, more than the Red Cross or any single organization or government agency can meet on its own.  The Red Cross is working closely with local and state emergency management, West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WVVOAD) partner agencies, local government and community partners to coordinate efforts to ensure that the needs of the entire affected community are being met.

Visit www.redcross.org or download the Red Cross Emergency App for real time weather alerts, shelter locations and expert advice on what to do after the flood water recedes.

If you have been impacted and need assistance, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-844-216-8286.  To learn more about the American Red Cross West Virginia Region, please visit redcrosswv.org, follow us on Facebook (@RedCrossWV) or Twitter (@ARCWV).