The Red Cross has mounted a massive relief operation in response to historic flooding and rainfall in South Carolina and areas of North Carolina. More than 24 inches of rain have fallen in parts of South Carolina – one of the most extensive and intense periods of rain in the history of the Southeast United States. Tens of thousands of people have been impacted.
The Red Cross has opened 35 shelters across multiple states and mobilized nearly 700 workers and over 27 emergency response vehicles to respond to families in need. Additional supplies and disaster workers are on the way.
Emergency crews are still busy rescuing residents from inundated neighborhoods and dealing with broken waterlines, more than 500 impassable roads and recovering from 30,000 power outages. Flash flood watches remain in effect throughout South Carolina and rivers are expected to continue rise with the risk of dam compromises over the next several days – that means that residents are still in danger.
At the same time the Red Cross is responding in South Carolina and neighboring states, our teams are also providing support to those in need across the country:
– In California, Red Cross volunteers and partner organizations continue to provide shelter, food and supplies to residents struggling to recover after last month’s wildfires.
– In Florida, more than a dozen Red Cross volunteers are providing emotional support and other assistance for the families of the seamen aboard the cargo ship El Faro which sank during Hurricane Joaquin last week.
– In Alaska, the Red Cross is providing shelter after a blizzard left thousands of people without power.
– In Oregon, volunteers are providing mental health support to residents and assistance at community events after last week’s tragic school shooting.
– Throughout the country, the Red Cross is providing comfort and resources to families and individuals experiencing home fires nearly 200 times a day.
Approximately every 8 minutes across the country the Red Cross responds to a disaster or other emergency. From floods to home fires, earthquakes and wildfires, you can do something right now to make sure that families facing devastation can get help right away. Please consider making a gift now by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief to help people affected by disasters big and small.

On behalf of all those we serve, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,

Richard Reed
Senior Vice President, Disaster Cycle Services
American Red Cross