The American Red Cross is opening four additional shelters in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area to assist those who have been displaced from their homes due to flooding. The new shelters are located in:
- Bellevue, Nebraska (Calvary Christian Church, 10100 Cedar Island Road)
- Plattsmouth, Nebraska (Plattsmouth Community Center, 301 S. 18th Street)
- Fremont, Nebraska (Fremont Middle School, 540 Johnson Road)
- Valley, Nebraska (Douglas County West High School, 401 S. Pine Street)
This makes a total of 11 shelters now open in the metro area, joining shelters in:
· Council Bluffs, Iowa (Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue)
- Missouri Valley, Iowa (Rand Community Center, 100 S. 4th Street)
- Elkhorn, Nebraska (Elkhorn Middle School, 3200 207th Street)
- Fremont, Nebraska (First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue)
- Fremont, Nebraska (Trinity Lutheran Church, 1546 N. Luther Road)
- Fremont, Nebraska (Salem Lutheran Church, 401 E. Military Avenue)
- Fremont, Nebraska (Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road)
Anyone who has been displaced from their home is urged to come to a shelter. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide a safe place to stay, a place to sleep, a hot meal and referrals to community services.
Anyone evacuating to a shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family, including:
• Prescriptions and emergency medications
• Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
• Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents
• Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
• Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys
• Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
The shelters will remain open as long as necessary. The Red Cross is working closely with local emergency management officials to coordinate relief services.
Those interested in making a financial donation to support relief efforts can do so by visiting www.redcross.org/donate and selecting ‘I want to Support Disaster Relief.’ Donations can also be mailed to American Red Cross, 2912 S. 80th Ave., Omaha NE 68124.