'People Taking Care of People': Red Cross Shelter Clients Share Their Experiences

By: Nicole Roschella

Rescue boats approach Christina Knouse's home in Dorothy Patch, Westmoreland County. This photo was captured on her porch camera.

Ensuring people have a safe place to stay during a disaster is a critical part of the American Red Cross mission. When flash flooding struck Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in August 2022, the Red Cross jumped into action to open an emergency shelter for people who needed a safe place to stay. 

“I never knew the Red Cross did all the stuff they did. And they treated me really well,” said David Reid. His Westmoreland County home took on two and a half feet of water during the storm.

Reid was one of the 12 people who took refuge in the Red Cross shelter after the flood. Red Cross volunteers and employees worked around the clock to provide displaced neighbors:

·       A safe place to sleep
·       Meals, snacks and water
·       Health services (such as first aid, refilling lost prescriptions or replacing lost eyeglasses)
·       Emotional support and mental health services
·       Spiritual care
·       Help reconnecting with loved ones
·       Information about disaster-related resources in the community 
·       Access to caseworkers to help with disaster recovery

Red Cross cleanup kits provided for flood victims

“It’s just the fact that [the Red Cross] took care of us from beginning to end,” said Christina Knouse, who stayed at the shelter with her husband, two children and dog.

Pets are not always allowed at Red Cross shelters, but in this case, Red Cross workers were able to accommodate pets comfortably.

“The fact that you let my dog come with me was awesome,” Knouse said of her 16-year-old dog. “He’s old and just being displaced from his home – much less his family – would’ve made our situation much worse.”

Knouse said she found the Red Cross workers to be hospitable and friendly to her family during a tough time.

“The shelter workers were so down to earth. We really grew to like them,” Knouse said. “It truly felt like people taking care of people rather than an organization.”

Knouse said their home renovations will take at least six months, but their road to recovery could not have begun without help from the Red Cross.

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