Red Cross Assists with Butler Flood Recovery Effort

The American Red Cross, in partnership with the City of Butler, local EMA, Fire Department and other emergency services, has been assisting in flood relief efforts since the situation started late Wednesday evening, and will continue to offer assistance as long as it is needed.

Overnight on Wednesday, Red Cross volunteers staffed a Reception Center at the Butler City Fire Department on Washington Street. While no one took advantage of the all-night center, ten area residents did stop by in the morning and were provided with breakfast, courtesy of McDonald’s.

Throughout the day, Red Cross Disaster Assessment Teams canvassed the area hardest hit, providing close to 100 clean-up kits and working with those impacted to assess their immediate needs. Lunch and dinner, courtesy of Walmart, Light of Life Community Outreach of Butler, The ARC of Butler County, The Salvation Army, First Methodist Church, resident Jen Christy, and other local donors was delivered by teams of Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteers, who drove street by street through the impacted area to hand out the food.

Since 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Red Cross has staffed a shelter at the First English Lutheran Church on North Main Street. As of 9:00 p.m. no local residents are at the shelter site. Based upon need, a decision will be made on Friday morning as to whether or not the shelter will remain open on Friday night.

Red Cross clean-up kits are available at the Butler City Fire Department on Washington Street and at the First English Lutheran Church shelter site for as long as the site remains open. People needing Red Cross assistance are encouraged to call 800-422-7677.
Red Cross volunteer teams will be back out in the community on Friday, working with individuals to assess their needs, providing assistance when possible, and working with our community partners to identify other avenues of support for services not available through the Red Cross.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided free of charge and is made possible by the voluntary donations of time and money from caring individuals and, in part, by contributions given through the United Way. Over the past month, the Red Cross in Western Pennsylvania has assisted individuals impacted by localized flash flooding in Butler, Allegheny, Indiana, Westmoreland, and Fayette Counties. You can help people affected by disasters such as these by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more.