The American Red Cross has hundreds of disaster workers on the ground in multiple West Virginia communities helping the thousands of people impacted by devastating flooding.

Red Cross workers from all over the state and country continue to support Red Cross shelters open throughout the affected areas of Fayette, Kanawha, Greenbrier, Nicholas and Roane counties. Relief supplies, clean-up kits, meals, snacks and water are in route to areas in Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Roane and Webster counties.

“The Red Cross is helping people right now with emergency needs such as shelter and meals while caseworkers are helping those affected with recovery planning,” said Erica Mani, chief executive officer of the West Virginia Region. “We will continue to support them in the days, weeks and months to come as they begin to plan their next steps.”

Those affect should let friends and relatives know that they are safe by updating their social media accounts or registering on the Red Cross Safe and Well website. Safe and Well registration is available through redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Facebook and Twitter are integrated into Safe and Well, so one can register and update a status at the same time. Concerned family and friends can also search the list of those who have registered themselves on the site. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.

HOW TO HELP

Many families have lost their homes and everything they own in this flooding.. People can donate to those affected in the West Virginia Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word WVFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to West Virginia Floods enable the Red Cross to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from these disasters.

The Red Cross will continue to operate shelters and provide meals for those affected. Red Cross disaster mental health workers are helping people cope in the aftermath of many challenging situations. Disaster health volunteers are also helping to replace needed items like prescription medications and eyeglasses.

In the next few days, Red Cross caseworkers will be meeting one-on-one with people to create recovery plans and identify additional resources. In some situations, the Red Cross may provide direct financial support to people who need extra support.

“We need the public’s support now,” said Mani. “Entire families have lost their homes and everything they own to these floodwaters.