Across the country, 73 shelters were open in nine states as of midnight last night, with additional shelters on standby as the storm system moves to the Northeast. In Chicago alone, more than 360 people spent the night in Red Cross shelters. In Tulsa, Red Cross disaster workers housed almost 70 people overnight who could not make it home due to the storm. Five Red Cross disaster warehouses are on alert, ready to ship supplies to where they are needed to help people in the path of this huge winter storm.
“Red Cross chapters across the country are opening shelters to provide hot meals and safe place to stay to stranded motorists, or those who have had to leave their homes,” said Ann Wright, CEO, American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina. “This storm is projected to affect a third of the population of this country, and we are lending a hand where needed. While our region is outside the path of this storm, financial donations will make it possible for the Red Cross to respond to future needs.”
If someone wants to help people affected by the storm or those affected by the thousands of disasters across the country and around the world, they can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 9035, Greenville, SC 29604.
