Red Cross Steps in to Aid Flood Victims

The American Red Cross rolled in with a pair of disaster relief trucks, about 16 volunteers and employees, cleanup kits and more at Willow Woods Tuesday afternoon, prepared to help anyone and everyone affect by the weekend’s floods.

It was their third day on the job, after providing aid in the immediate aftermath of the storm. They’d sent in a disaster assessment team Tuesday morning to get an overview of the damage, Gloucester County Red Cross executive director Laura Steinmetz said, but the big task still was ahead: actually sitting down with the affected residents to try to get a handle on the losses, and figuring out how to meet their needs.

The Gloucester County chapter knew it would be a colossal task, and had called in help from neighboring chapters–notably Salem and Southern Shore, which covers Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties–and had borrowed a truck from Tinton Falls in the Jersey Coast chapter.

“Whether it’s down the street, across the country or around the world, there’s always additional Red Cross,” Steinmetz said. “This is what we do.”

The organization had several hours of work on their hands through the afternoon, as a few dozen residents were lined up outside the Willow Woods main office, clutching coffee cups and umbrellas as occasional rain spattered the area. Steinmetz said they counted at least 25 homes with at least some exterior flood damage, and were working to try to figure out if there were more with damage inside.

Residents’ emotions ranged from rage to resignation as they talked with Red Cross workers, who talked with them about the specifics of the damage: ruined cars, soaked carpets, wrecked furniture.

Malcolm Dawson, a seven-year volunteer with the Red Cross, said he sees working with the group as his chance to reach out a hand to people when they're vulnerable.

"Though it's raining at the moment, the sun is going to come up tomorrow, and things are going to be better," he said. "We'll do the things within our power to help them get their feet back on the ground."

The Red Cross could offer them some assistance for food, clothing and shelter, Steinmetz said, but they also work hand-in-hand with a number of organizations throughout the county and region to supplement what they can do.

“We’re very fortunate here in Gloucester County, that we have wonderful cooperation from our Office of Emergency Management, our elected officials and our sister agencies,” she said.

Still, the biggest challenge was the speed of their response, Steinmetz said.

“When it’s urgent, people want the help instantly,” she said.

Gloucester County officials requested that residents affected by the storm–in Willow Woods or anywhere else in the county–to contact the Office of Emergency Management at 856-307-7100.

The county Office of Emergency Management is gathering information for the state Office of Emergency Management, which will be used for the state’s application for disaster relief to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.