Local Red Cross Volunteers Deploy to Assist with Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort
Western North Dakota Volunteers Heading to Texas
BISMARCK, N.D. (August 25, 2017) — As Hurricane Harvey nears land, the American Red Cross is mounting a massive relief effort ahead of the most deadly and devastating hurricane forecast to strike the United States in over a decade.
Hurricane Harvey is slated for landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast with over 100 mph winds and up to 35 inches of rain, leading to devastating and life-threatening flooding. Tornadoes are also possible. The storm is expected to hover over parts of Texas and Louisiana for several days.
The Red Cross is mobilizing hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster relief workers, supplies, as well as tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals to support this response effort. Trailers full of shelter supplies including cots and blankets—enough to support more than 20,000 people—are scheduled to arrive in Texas.
“Allen and Carol Becker will deploy from Minot with a Red Cross emergency response vehicle. We’re thankful for the dedication of volunteers who are willing to drop everything to help those in need,” said Disaster Program Manager Rob Stotz.
Paul and Barb Henke of Valley City, ND are also deploying; they will drive the emergency response vehicle from Eastern North Dakota to Texas. Several volunteers in the Red Cross chapters in South Dakota are on their way to Texas or scheduled for deployment.
More than 40 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are activated, including four in the Dakotas Region, with more on alert. The Red Cross is also working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners in both Texas and Louisiana to coordinate potential response efforts.
The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Harvey by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS. The best way to ensure your donation will go to a specific disaster is to write the specific disaster name in the memo line of a check. We also recommend completing and mailing the donation form on redcross.org with your check.