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OVERVIEW: RED CROSS RESPONSE TO MA FLOODS

During May 2006, heavy rainfall over a five day period in New England triggered the worse flooding in nearly seventy years, according to the National Weather Service. More than a foot of rain fell in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Southern Maine in the span of 5 days, with as much as 17 inches falling in some areas. The deluge of water overflowed riverbanks, streams, and ponds, damaging or submerging roadways throughout the area.

Since officials feared that some of the dams in the area would be compromised, thousands of residents evacuated the area.

On Sunday, May 14, 2006, the governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire declared states of emergency for their respective states, while the governor of Maine declared a state of emergency for York County. National Guard units were activated to help with evacuations, sandbagging, traffic control and other response efforts. By Tuesday morning, the rivers had crested and the rain finally tapered. Residents began leaving shelters and returning home.

Throughout, the American Red Cross worked closely with state and local emergency officials and partner volunteer organizations to address the emergency needs of our affected communities. With high waters forcing hundreds of families from their homes, many sought safety in American Red Cross and community shelters. The Red Cross also provided aid—including financial assistance, food, cleanup kits and other emergency support—as they began returning to their homes.

As of June 2, 2006, the American Red Cross:

• Sheltered more than 525 people in six temporary Red Cross shelters
• Provided more than 72,000 meals and snacks
• Distributed more than 3,700 packaged clean-up kits and almost 36,000 separate clean-up items
• Supported more than 300 families with direct emergency financial assistance
• Deployed more than 450 relief workers (more than half of whom were local)

The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on financial contributions to provide direct relief 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and to maintain a trained corps of local volunteer responders.

The guide Repairing My Flooded Home is available via download or through your local Red Cross office. In addition, Massachusetts Emergency Management has published a Flood Recovery brochure to assist residents.

For flooding emergencies the Commonwealth has established this hotline: 1-800-293-4031. All emergencies of a life-threatening nature should be reported to local 911

• For Red Cross relief assistance, call 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636)
• For the Mass Bay Red Cross Chapter, call: 1-800-564-1234 and follow the prompts for flooding.
• Media can reach the Mass Bay Red Cross Chapter at 1-800-564-1234 x246.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the New England floods, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.