RAPID CITY, S.D. – The American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota is sending an emergency response vehicle to support relief efforts for people affected by Hurricane Ida.
“When disaster strikes, Red Cross workers use emergency response vehicles to travel to impacted areas and deliver critical disaster relief services to our neighbors in need,” said Richard Smith, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota.
Newer relief vehicles include improved safety features, like rearview cameras as well as ergonomic systems to help Red Cross volunteers load and distribute food, cleanup supplies and other essential relief items.
The Red Cross is working across four states with our partners to provide help to people struggling with the heartbreaking damage left behind by Hurricane Ida.
- More than 1 million people are without power where temperatures may hit 90 degrees today; homes and businesses are destroyed; cell phone, water and sewer services are down in many areas; roads are damaged or blocked; and many communities remain flooded. Officials say it could be weeks until power is fully restored.
- Officials have asked evacuees not to return to their homes until it is safe to do so. In some areas water is chest high and snakes and alligators have been sighted.
- Many communities that are still recovering from the devastation of hurricanes Laura and Delta just a year ago are now facing flooded homes yet again along with another lengthy recovery effort.
- Experts point to climate change as being partially responsible for the rapid strengthening that Ida underwent before making landfall.
For the Red Cross, our work is just beginning. Right now, we are focused on providing safe shelter, meals and comfort for people in need. We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people recover for weeks and months to come.
- Tuesday night, more than 2,100 people sought refuge in some 35 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
- Some 580 trained Red Cross workers are on the ground now with many more traveling from all over the country to help.
- Mobile kitchens capable of preparing tens of thousands of meals are being set up with the help of the Southern Baptist Convention.
- In the coming days, dozens of Red Cross emergency response vehicles will begin bringing food and relief supplies to people across the region.
