A Severe Weather Alert Day has been issued by the KAKE First Alert Forecasters for both Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. Keep it on kake.com and KAKEland for the latest as we continue to track the severe weather.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The American Red Cross continues to help people and families that were affected by recent severe weather that damaged and destroyed homes in and around Wichita. To date, Red Cross has distributed nearly 230 meals and provided 40 overnight stays.
“From Iowa to Texas, people sought shelter from the storms,” spokesman James Williams said. “It shows that when bad things happen, Red Cross can call upon a team of nearly 650,000 volunteers to respond across the country.”
At Red Cross shelters, people can receive food, emotional support and health services. Because Red Cross is directly connected with other emergency responders and service delivery organizations, shelters are also valuable for people to collect information and other resources.
“Red Cross is adapting to the situation and working with the people to help with their immediate needs,” said James Williams, Red Cross spokesperson. “We’re working diligently to get people back on the road to recovery.”
There are ways people can and cannot help. While well intended, in-kind donations of clothing, food, water or other supplies are not needed. Red Cross appreciates the offers of help, but right now the best way to help disaster victims is with a financial donation by texting the word REDCROSS to 9-0-9-9-9 or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. While no blood drives have been canceled, Red Cross depends on generous volunteer blood donors to provide lifesaving blood in need – each and every day.
