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Red Cross Flood Relief underway in Whatcom County

The American Red Cross has assembled a team of Disaster Assessment volunteers who will be out surveying communities impacted by flooding in Whatcom County today.  On Wednesday, the group distributed 24 clean-up kits to residents of the City of Sumas and conducted Disaster Assessment.

What’s in a clean-up kit?

Items include: mop, bucket, push-broom, straight-broom, rubber gloves, scrub brush, sponge, disinfectant.

The American Red Cross provides extensive information on how to respond before, during and after a flood.  Including how to clean and repair your home.  Start with the list below and visit this link to learn more:

  • Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.
  • Learn more about how to clean up after a flood, including the supplies you’ll need, how to sanitize food contact surfaces, and how to repair water damage.
  • Be careful when moving furnishings or debris, because they may be waterlogged and heavier.
  • Throw out items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.
  • Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. When in doubt, throw it out. This includes canned goods, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and containers with food or liquid that has been sealed shut.
  • Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped out completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.
  • Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.

Thank you,

Betsy Robertson

Communications Program Manager

American Red Cross

Northwest Region

1900 25th Ave S

Seattle, WA 98144

(206) 799-3194

betsy.robertson@redcross.org

On average, the American Red Cross, Northwest Region responds to an emergency like this every 6 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge. For more information about the Red Cross, visit http://www.redcross.org/, follow us on Twitter @RedCrossNW or Facebook.

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP People should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of tornadoes, flooding and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross 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.

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