Red Cross Continues to Feed and Shelter Residents Affected by Oroville Spillway Evacuations

~Evacuation orders downgraded, but residents urged to remain vigilant and prepared~

SACRAMENTO – The American Red Cross continues to provide shelter and relief to residents affected by Oroville Dam Spillway evacuations despite Tuesday’s downgrade in evacuation status. Shelters remain open for those heeding current evacuation warnings.

As of Tuesday night, more than 1,500 people remained in 16 Red Cross and community shelters. While the risk has been reduced and many have returned to their homes, the region is expected to see several inches of rain in the next few days. The Red Cross is working closely to government partners and emergency officials to ensure safe shelter and resources remain in place should continued evacuations be necessary.

Those affected by current evacuations may receive services at any of these Red Cross shelter locations:

Silver Dollar Fairgrounds
2357 Fair St.
Chico, CA 95928

Hammon Senior Center
1033 W. Las Palmas
Patterson, CA 95363

California State Fairgrounds – Cal Expo
1600 Expo Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815

The Red Cross is also supporting multiple community shelters throughout the region by providing cots, blankets, comfort kits, and other resources. More than 250 Red Cross disaster workers are providing shelter, meals and comfort, with more workers and relief supplies on the way to the region to support this massive response.

To find an emergency shelter, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Those with friends or family may visit Red Cross shelters during the day for information or a hot meal.

GET PREPARED

With the situation still uncertain for many who live in the area surrounding the Oroville Dam, the Red Cross urges everyone to follow any evacuation orders and Be Red Cross Ready – build a kit, make a plan and be informed. Pack your kit in an easy-to-handle container and include the following:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio to stay informed and cell phone with charger
• First aid kit
• Medications – a 7-day supply – and any medical items needed
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items like a toothbrush, soap and shampoo
• Copies of important papers such as deed/lease to your home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, proof of address, medication list
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• A map of the area
• Extra clothing
• Pillows and blankets

More items to consider include medical supplies such as hearing aids, glasses and contact lenses, baby supplies, pet supplies and an extra set of car and house keys. Full information about what to include is available on redcross.org.

Residents are encouraged to keep their car gas tanks full so that in the event of another evacuation, they can quickly get to safety.

People can also download the Red Cross Emergency App to have safety information available on their mobile device, including open shelter locations, emergency weather alerts and flood safety information. Red Cross apps are available in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

HOW TO HELP

Donations: We are thankful to those who would like to donate items for those evacuated, however the Red Cross is not equipped to manage, support, and distribute donated items. Instead, our priority is to get those affected settled at emergency shelters, and to provide supplies to meet immediate needs. Right now, the best way to help is through monetary donations.

Help people affected by disasters like floods and countless other crises by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small across the United States. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Volunteer: The Red Cross is always accepting new volunteers who are interested in supporting disaster relief operations or other areas of interest. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to begin an application.

GET CONNECTED

Follow the Red Cross Gold Country Region on social media for the latest information as it becomes available.

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/RCSierraDelta
www.facebook.com/RedCrossNEC

Twitter:
@RedCrossNECal
@RCSierraDelta

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Gold Country Region serves a twenty-four county territory including Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/goldcountry or follow us on Twitter @RCSierraDelta.

 

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