Red Cross and Partners to Open Shelters in Local Communities

In Response to Hurricane Sandy

 Red Cross Responding to Hurricane Sandy: How YOU Can Help

The American Red Cross is responding across multiple states in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Our region worked hand in hand with our government partners and opened 14 shelters Monday night in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. We organized and deployed shelter teams, equipment, supplies and food, and, most importantly, provided comfort to those in need.

Approximately 250 people spent Monday night in local shelters and over 125 volunteers have been working on this response n various important capacities. In addition our volunteers continue to respond to home fires 24 hours a day. The Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) is fully operational.

Nearly 11,000 people spent Monday night in 258 Red Cross shelters in 16 states – New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Indiana and Michigan.

To help those who may be affected by this storm and other disasters, you can make a donation by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can also text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to our local Red Cross at 8550 Arlington Blvd. in Fairfax, Va, 22031 or the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.  The donations we receive for Red Cross Disaster Relief are put to good use. This will be a large, costly relief response due to the widespread area this devastating storm is impacting and the immediate and longer range impacts. It’s important to know that 91 cents of every dollar is used to support disaster victims. Any donation, large or small, will help.

The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations in areas unaffected by this storm and asks that community members consider donating blood in affected areas once it’s safe to do so. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, please visit us online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

We are closely monitoring and preparing for continued impacts of the storm in our National Capital Region as more flooding is a possibility.