Red Cross Recognizes 10-Year Anniversary Of Midwest Floods

American Red Cross
Thursday, 31 July 2003

Flood was 5th Most Expensive Disaster in Organization's History; Still Needs Money for Other Disasters

Ten years ago, tens of thousands of people had to evacuate areas throughout nine states in the Midwest as the Mississippi River rose well beyond its normal banks. Killing 50 people, leaving 75 communities underwater, and severely damaging 55,000 homes, the Midwest Floods are the 5th most expensive disaster response in American Red Cross history. More than 20,000 Red Cross disaster workers helped 66,000 affected families by opening nearly 200 shelters and serving 2.8 million meals and snacks to those devastated by floodwaters.

The Midwest Floods lasted from May until October with the most damage occurring in July of 1993. The Red Cross spent $44 million to help the victims in nine affected states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. While the Red Cross takes note of this significant anniversary it also urges people to be prepared. According to Armond Mascelli, Acting Vice President of Response, "As the ‘Great Flood of 1993' proved, disasters can happen any time to any one, and it's important for families to take simple steps now to help reduce the affects of a disaster that happens tomorrow."

"The Mississippi River flood cost the Red Cross $44 million to help those that were affected," Mascelli added. If that disaster happened today, the Red Cross wouldn't have enough money in its Disaster Relief Fund to cover those expenses." The Disaster Relief Fund is currently at an 11 year low at only $1.2 million as of June 30th, 2003. The fund allows the Red Cross to respond the minute a disaster strikes to help those affected with their immediate needs like food, shelter, clothing, life-saving medications, etc.

According to Mascelli, "Before the attention of the nation turns to helping with the needs of the victims, the Red Cross is already there. It's the Disaster Relief Fund that allows us to respond before one dollar is donated. When something like this happens, people don't need help in a day or two; they need help that minute."

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting our Online Donation Form.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org