Red Cross San Angelo Seeks Aid for Colorado Flood Victims

The American Red Cross is calling for financial contributions to aid evacuees in Colorado, where flash floods have displaced thousands of people since last weekend.

Yahoo! News states that so far some 11,750 people have been evacuated from a total of 17 affected counties in the state of Colorado, with a current fatality toll of six. There are also an estimated 580 people missing.

“As many as 500 people stayed in 14 shelters Monday night in Colorado and more than 400 trained Red Cross disaster workers are staffing shelters and evacuation centers said Janet Karcher, Executive Director local Red Cross.  “The Red Cross has mobilized more than 20 response vehicles and six truckloads of relief supplies,” a press release states.

Red Cross workers are providing a safe place for people forced to evacuate, as well as blankets, cots, meals and emotional support, the release states.

Citizens of San Angelo can aid the efforts by making a monetary contribution. “We are asking people to contribute to our Disaster Relief Fund,” Karcher said. “That allows the funds to be used for not only this disaster, but for disasters that could be potentially coming up in the near future.

“It would be counterproductive to ship things. Financial donations allow us to provide things immediately—it’s a little bit more fluid—it can be sent directly to our responders. We have to have funds in place prior to the disaster becoming what we call a ‘Disaster Relief Operation’…and we have to have funds up front. That’s why the Disaster Relief is so important,” Karcher said. “We want to make sure that we have the funds to respond to all disasters.”

Donations of $10 can be made by texting Red Cross to 90999. Donations may also be made in person or mail by check or money order at the American Red Cross location in San Angelo at 17 S. Chadbourne Ste. 102 San Angelo, Texas 76903. You can also go online to redcross.org and click on “donate now”.