PHOENIX – The threat from Hurricane Laura is far from over; Hurricane Laura is bringing life-threatening and devastating damage to the Gulf Coast and areas far inland Through Friday, Laura will bring as much as 18 inches of rain to Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, continuing north over the weekend with heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Red Cross has mobilized more than 800 trained disaster workers to support relief efforts on the ground or virtually. We are supporting local officials and community response plans, which are focused on providing shelter, food, and comfort to those in need. Our Region (AZ/NM) has deployed (both physically and virtually) nearly 40 volunteers to assist with the relief effort in the Gulf Coast area (both Texas and Louisiana). They will be deploying more volunteers once it is safe to do so to the Gulf Coast.
As Laura made landfall on Wednesday night, more than 10,000 people were provided a safe place to stay in partner shelters and, in some circumstances, hotels.
- In some instances, the Red Cross is supporting local shelters by providing cots, blankets, and personal protective equipment. The Red Cross is also helping to support evacuees placed in hotel rooms. In Texas, both the Red Cross and local officials are managing emergency shelters in a collaborative effort.
- In Arkansas, shelters are ready to open for people who may need help as the storm moves north. The Red Cross is working with officials there to coordinate any response that may be required.
- Red Cross disaster health services and mental health volunteers are helping evacuees with replacing medications, eyeglasses, and offering emotional support.
- Red Cross volunteers are also supporting evacuation centers, which are sites dedicated to directing evacuees to the best sheltering option for their individual needs.
- The Red Cross will also assist with damage assessment as soon as it is safe to do so.
It’s important to remember that responding to disasters is a team effort, and no single organization can do it alone — this is particularly true in this current environment.
You can make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Laura. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word LAURA to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
- Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, and other assistance.
- Ensure your donation helps people affected by Hurricane Laura by choosing that option on redcross.org/donate or 800-RED-CROSS.
As hurricanes threaten the Gulf Coast this week, we encourage eligible blood donors in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply.
- Before landfall, the Red Cross pre-positioned additional blood products to ensure hospitals are stocked to weather this dangerous storm and its impacts. Through our national inventory system, the Red Cross can move blood around the country wherever and whenever it is needed most. We encourage eligible donors in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to give blood or platelets to help ensure a sufficient blood supply.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for real-time weather alerts, open shelters, and expert advice on floods.
- The Emergency App includes an “I’m Safe” feature that helps people check on loved ones. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.
