COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Central Ohio Red Cross volunteers are heading to Texas to help those affected by the devastating rain and flooding.
“Texas has been having a tough year. Disasters first hit the area as the year began and again in March, April and earlier this month,” said Matt Bertram, CEO of the Red Cross Ohio Buckeye Region. “Many families have suffered repeated loss from several floods just this year alone. Red Cross workers have been helping from day one and will remain in the affected communities in the weeks and months ahead to make sure people get the help they need.”
Two local volunteers are already working in areas like Houston, Texas. Thursday, two other volunteers leave Columbus to join them.
Norm Hoffman, a retired Marine, is a disaster program manager for the Red Cross. He tells NBC4 volunteers from other states are often needed when the situation is dire.
“The local event has become more than the individual area or chapter can handle. So the Red Cross is designed as an agency to respond across county and state lines,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman said his role when he arrives in Houston will be to assess what the communities in that city need, including the number of homes and families displaced by the flooding.
“We always look at the big three – a safe place to stay, clothing and food,” he said. “Then we look at what their medical needs they might have. They might have lost their medication, even things like strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs.”
More than 19 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of Texas. Several people have died, some are still missing.
The three day forecast is calling for more flooding rains in the Houston area. Hoffman will spend the next two weeks helping families in need.
This is the spirit of the Red Cross and that’s why I love it so much,” said Hoffman.
You can help people affected by the Texas floods and tornadoes by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word TXFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Texas Floods and Tornadoes will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.What others are clicking on:
