Help people affected by the storms and floods this spring. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
Throughout this historically active storm season, the American Red Cross has been providing not only food and shelter to meet survivors’ immediate needs but also financial assistance, knowledgeable guidance and emotional support to help impacted residents rebuild their lives.
Highly destructive spring storms, tornadoes and floods have robbed families of the roofs over their heads, the vehicles they count on to get to work and irreplaceable possessions, causing thousands of people to turn to the Red Cross for help. Over 4,700 homes have been destroyed or endured major damage, while another 11,300 have sustained less severe damage across 19 states and territories, including Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Since March 1, the Red Cross and our partners have provided more than:
- 238,500 meals and snacks.
- 113,800 relief supplies.
- 6,400 overnight shelter stays.
Kathleen Johnson, of East Texas, was grateful to find refuge for herself and her dog — whom she calls her best friend — at one of our shelters. “Nice people from the Red Cross are helping us with food and supplies,” Kathleen said.
We have also reached over 2,200 households with Immediate Financial Assistance. These funds can make a critical difference for parents trying to feed their children, workers trying to get to their jobs and anyone who could use a hand. In some of the hardest hit communities, many residents were already living paycheck to paycheck. About 20% of people live in poverty in hard-hit Sikeston, Missouri, and Libertyville, Texas, compared to 11.5% nationwide. In Tallahassee, Florida, the rate is over 24%.
We pair financial assistance with referrals and guidance so survivors can find the help they need. In addition, through our Shelter Resident Transition program, trained responders work with displaced residents to address logistical and practical barriers as well as to provide emotional support.
Far and wide, people impacted by this spring’s storms and floods are counting on the Red Cross for help. We can meet their needs, helping them make it through the crisis and rebuild their lives, thanks to donors like you.
