American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

This story is written by Red Cross worker Brigette Williams.

Disaster Team volunteer Becca White notes damage to the property.

Hurricane Isaac, now downgraded as a tropical depression, continues to make its presence felt nationally, after a perplexing and slow moving destructive dance through Mississippi and Louisiana. Unwelcomed movement continued across Arkansas as drenching rains dropped as much as eight inches in many areas Thursday. Record breaking rains caused the National Weather Service to issue a five hour emergency flash flood warning for several counties in southeastern Arkansas Friday. Portions of the state was also under a tornado watch.

One of the hardest hit areas, Pine Bluff, 40 miles southeast of Little Rock, endured more than four feet of flood waters Friday morning, causing at least two cars to float down highway 63, and major complication to school buses maneuvering around flooded roads. Water rescues were made to aid residents caught in the fast moving event. “As long as I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen this much water downtown,” stated American Red Cross In Arkansas Disaster Zone Manager Michele Metott-Works. Streets surrounding the Pine Bluff Red Cross office were filled with rushing water. The office was not damaged.

At least eighteen homes in Pine Bluff have been identified with flood waters inside the structures. Red Cross damage assessment was interrupted as another series of Isaac caused storms moved across the area Friday evening, causing the National Weather Service to place several counties under the morning emergency flash flood warnings, back under a flash flood alert. Disaster Teams will be out today to complete assessment.

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This story is written by Red Cross worker Jerry Kindle.

Hundreds of people sought shelter from the American Red Cross as Tropical Storm Isaac began its move into the Gulf of Mexico, threatening communities throughout Florida with its winds and rain. Chapters all across the state prepared, and then opened, evacuation shelters as the threat became certain.

Disaster response such as this doesn’t just happen – it takes forethought, planning, and good old-fashioned hard work. While much of the thought and planning takes place months in advance, a lot of the work happens over the days just prior to the event. In Pensacola, FL, preparation began while Isaac was still in the Atlantic. Shelter locations were identified, supplies were gathered, and disaster workers were polled – then put on notice so they could complete preparations at home before moving into place to help others.

Why do they do it? Why do Red Cross volunteers spend hours and days planning and preparing, then leave their homes and take time away from families and friends to help when disasters threaten or strike? For Charlie Brower, the answer is easy: “I like to help people.” He especially likes being one of the first ones there to help.

As Isaac approached Florida, Brower did whatever task needed to be done. He helped gather supplies for the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and did a lot of “running around,” as he called it, helping to get the chapter’s 16 shelters ready to go. Later, as the storm moved further west and the need for shelters diminished, Brower helped move supplies and equipment back to the warehouse and repack shelter trailers, so they’ll be ready to go if needed again.

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