Tornado Victims Urged to Call for Red Cross Assistance

(DAYTONA BEACH, February 7, 2007) – The American Red Cross continues to give assistance to tornado victims in Lake, Sumter and Volusia counties. More than 390 volunteers from Red Cross Chapters across Florida and the United States were on hand Tuesday to assist with relief efforts at the
Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter.

Individuals and families in the affected areas can call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636) to get information on Red Cross relief assistance or to request disaster assistance. When they call, the Red Cross can schedule a case worker to visit individuals and families at their locations so they don’t have to drive long distances to a service center.

On Tuesday, trained Red Cross disaster workers provided more than 8,400 meals and snacks, distributed 321 comfort and clean-up kits, and delivered 1,519 bulk items to tornado victims in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties. Distributions continue today. Currently, 34 American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are being used in relief efforts. They are operating as mobile feeding stations, doing bulk distribution of relief supplies, and acting as community aid stations – offering health and mental health services along with disaster assistance.

Concerned family and friends searching for persons affected by the tornado disaster can do so by visiting www.redcross.org. The web site features a secure section called Safe and Well where people in the affected area can register their well-being and where friends and family elsewhere can access that information. Individuals and companies that wish to help their neighbors by supporting Red Cross disaster relief efforts through a financial donation or by volunteering can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.

All American 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, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 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 a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”

Disaster Assessment DR 434-07 – February 6, 2007

Disaster Assessment	Lake County	Sumter County	Volusia County	Totals
Homes Destroyed	127	63	238	428
Major Damage	134	331	161	626
Minor Damage	116	170	365	651
Affected	20	179	231	430
Inaccessible	0	0	50	50
Total Impact	397	743	1,045	2,185

Toll Free Line Helps Tornado Victims Get Red Cross Assistance

(DAYTONA BEACH, February 6, 2007) – American Red Cross response continues in the areas in Lake, Sumter and Volusia counties that were impacted by tornados on Friday morning. More than 340 volunteers from Red Cross Chapters across Florida and the United States have arrived to assist with relief efforts at the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter.

Individuals and families in the affected area can call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636) to get information on Red Cross relief assistance or to request disaster assistance. When they call, the Red Cross can schedule a case worker to visit individuals and families at their locations so they don’t have to drive long distances to a service center.

On Monday, trained Red Cross disaster workers provided more than 9,300 meals and snacks, and distributed 1,063 comfort and clean-up kits to those affected in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties. Distributions continue today. Currently, 35 American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are being used in relief efforts. They are operating as mobile feeding stations, doing bulk distribution of relief supplies, and acting as community aid stations – offering health and mental health services along with disaster assistance.

Concerned family and friends searching for persons affected by the tornado disaster can do so by visiting www.redcross.org. The web site features a secure section called Safe and Well where people in the affected area can register their well-being and where friends and family elsewhere can access that information. Individuals and companies that wish to help their neighbors by supporting Red Cross disaster relief efforts through a financial donation or by volunteering can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.

All American 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, disasters like the tornadoes in Central Florida, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS 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 a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.”

All Red Cross Shelters Closed

All Red Cross Shelters are currently closed.

Red Cross Tornado Disaster Relief Operation Continues

(DAYTONA BEACH, February 5, 2007) – The American Red Cross continues responding to the tornadoes that impacted Lake, Sumter and Volusia counties on Friday morning. More than 200 volunteers from Red Cross Chapters across Florida and the United States have arrived to assist with relief efforts at the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter.

Two Red Cross Shelters remain open.

Babe James Community Center 201 North Myrtle Ave. New Smyrna Beach

Chisholm Community Center 520 Clara S. Ave Deland

Yesterday, trained Red Cross disaster workers provided more than 11,000 meals and snacks, and distributed 1,400 comfort and clean-up kits to those affected in Lake, Sumter, and Volusia counties. Distributions will continue today.

Individuals and families in the affected area can call 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636) to get information on relief assistance that is currently available from the Red Cross. In upcoming days and weeks the American Red Cross will continue helping people affected by the tornadoes while they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.

Concerned family and friends searching for persons affected by the tornado disaster can do so by visiting www.redcross.org. The web site features a secure section called Safe and Well where people in the affected area can register their well-being and where friends and family elsewhere can access that information.

Individuals and companies that wish to help their neighbors by supporting Red Cross disaster relief efforts through a financial donation or by volunteering can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS.

All American 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 these tornadoes and thousands of other 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-RED CROSS. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the Coast to Coast Chapter located at 341 White St. Daytona Beach, FL. 32114, (386)226-1400 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

End

Welcome

All of this information is available to the public.  It is designed to provide media with the latest information about the American Red Cross response to the devistating tornados which struck Central Florida in February 2007.  Latest information is provided about how those affected can get help and how their neighbors can help.