The American Red Cross is focused on sheltering those who have been affected by recent storms. Currently, five shelters are available to aid those impacted by severe rain and flooding throughout South Texas. Through our partnership with leadership at First Baptist Church and local emergency management, it has been determined that the church will transition back to the community and the few remaining shelter residents will be housed at the Mercedes SafeDome.

Last night we sheltered nearly 100 people.

The current list of shelters is below:

Shelter name

Address

County

Willacy County Community Safe Room

10804 Business 77 Raymondville, TX 78580

WILLACY

La Feria Community Safe Room

1001 Pancho Maples, La Feria, TX 78559

CAMERON

Mercedes SafeDome/Recreation Center

1202 North Vermont, Mercedes, TX 78570

HIDALGO

Edcouch Fire Department

200 W Santa Rosa Ave, Edcouch, TX 78538

HIDALGO

Santa Rosa Elementary School

102 S Main St, Santa Rosa, TX 78593

CAMERON

These shelters will be open 24 hours a day, providing a cool, dry place to stay, food, water, health services and emotional support for area residents who are not able to remain at their homes due to storms and flooding.

Anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:

·Prescriptions and emergency medications

·Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements

·Important personal documents

·Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items

·Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys

·Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled

·Chargers for any electronic devices you bring with you

·Books, games and other ways to entertain your family and yourself

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Volunteers are greatly needed to staff shelters as well as distribute food and provide other services to those in need. Training will be provided on site. Anyone interested in assisting this way is encouraged to go to redcross.org/volunteer.

FOR HELP: Those with non-emergency flood-related needs are urged to call the American Red Cross at 1-866-526-8300 and select option 3.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Red Cross mission is delivered through the commitment and passion of its volunteers. Whether you have four hours a month or four hours a day, there’s a place for you. If interested in joining the Red Cross, discover the possibilities at redcross.org/volunteer.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

Help people affected by disasters like hurricanes, floods and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Anyone wishing to help the Red Cross aid people impacted by disasters such as tornadoes, floods or home fires may donate at redcross.org, by calling 800-RED-CROSS or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

STAY INFORMED

For more updates, follow the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast on Twitter and Facebook at @RedCrossTXGC. You can also contact the South Texas Chapter at (956) 423-0523, visit https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/gulf-coast.html or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross is a United Way agency that shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

South Texas Stormwatch