Red Cross hosts multi-agency event in Redding to help flood victims as rains continue

The American Red Cross is holding a multi-agency event in Redding this weekend to assist people impacted by the recent flooding. 

On Dec. 21, Redding and other parts of California were hit by an atmospheric river, bringing several inches of rain to cities and towns across the North State in a short period of time. According to a press release from the city of Redding, “the volume and intensity of rainfall were consistent with a 50-year storm event, delivering more water than many local drainage and stormwater systems are designed to handle.”

The flooding event has caused people to be displaced from their homes, and has damaged property and flooded businesses. Within a four-hour period on the day of the storm, Redding police and fire personnel conducted about 60 water-related rescues, the city said. 

To help those impacted by the flooding, the Red Cross is hosting an event in collaboration with other local agencies this weekend. Steve Walsh, a spokesperson for the Red Cross’ California Gold Country Region, said the event is meant to help people who are unsure as to where to start to get assistance, as well as to provide a variety of services so that people don’t have to travel back and forth to receive multiple services. 

“Every household’s needs are different than the one next door, the one down the street, so the benefit of having community partners under one roof is to answer to those individual needs,” Walsh said. “Not everybody needs financial assistance, not everybody needs access to an attorney, but they might need something that’s in this room.”

The agencies at the event include: 

• American Red Cross
• Northern Valley Catholic Social Service
• California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
• Team Rubicon
• Redding Lions Club
• Redding Community Emergency Response Team
• United Way of Northern California
• Legal Services of Northern California
• Salvation Army Del Oro Division

At the event, the Lions Club is distributing food and water, and United Way is handing out care bags that contain items like hats, gloves and socks. The Shasta Regional Office of Legal Services of Northern California is offering free legal advice and counsel, self-help services and community education for those who are low income and any older adults. 

Rachel Clark, a community health advocate with the Health and Human Services Agency, has a booth at the event to help people with their CalFresh and MediCal services. She said if victims of the flood lost their benefits in the disaster, such as food they had purchased with CalFresh, they can apply to replace the food. She and Lourdes Manso, another community health advocate, are also providing information on key services in the community, such as mental health, utilities, housing and shelter services. 

Teri Lewis with the Salvation Army said that the organization is offering cleanup kits, baby supplies, gift cards and prayer services. She said when a flood victim comes to her booth, she’ll ask questions like how damaged their property is and how many people are in their household to determine the level of need. 

Peter Celum, a chaplain with the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry, said his organization is offering free services when it comes to people’s properties and homes, such as property assessments, removing drywall and mold mitigation. At the event itself, his booth has basic cleaning supplies, can openers and dishwashing detergent. 

“As a faith-based, Christian organization,” he said, “we just want to be God’s hands and feet in the community where we could meet those physical needs, as well as spiritual and emotional needs.”

Theodore Baldwin, the Red Cross community disaster program manager for Shasta, Siskiyou, Lake and Modoc Counties, said the Red Cross’ goal with the event was to ensure families they’ve been helping in the days since the flood have easy access to a variety of community resources. The Red Cross had multiple teams there, including its disaster and mental health services teams. Baldwin added that other local organizations have been very responsive to helping the community in the wake of the flood. 

Mike Ferrier, a coordinator with the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and Lions Club, said around 40 people are working the event in total this weekend to help those in need. He said he wanted to remind people to be conscious about what items they’re throwing away as they clean up from the flood since some items don’t belong in landfills and can harm the environment. He also issued a reminder that community members should be cautious about who they hire to help them clean up their homes and properties since not everyone is qualified to do so. 

The event is being held at Northern Valley Catholic Social Service located at 2400 Washington Ave. in Redding and will continue tomorrow and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If people aren’t able to attend, Walsh with the Red Cross said they can call the organization’s national number, which is 1-800-733-2767, to be added to the Red Cross’ system and potentially be offered resources if and when they become available. 

Those who have experienced flooding are also being encouraged by the city of Redding to complete a flood damage reporting form that can be shared with state agencies for emergency or flood-related assistance. 

Redding warns residents about another incoming storm system

The city sent out a press release earlier today advising Redding residents to prepare for another storm system forecasted this weekend, starting tonight around 10 p.m. and continuing into Monday afternoon. The release cites the National Weather Service in its warning of rockslides, mudslides, elevated river levels, flooding in creeks and streams and periods of heavy rainfall with saturated soil. 

The city said that storm drains are regularly maintained, but trash and debris from the storm could still accumulate quickly and clog the drains, adding that city crews are monitoring areas prone to flooding. 

“Safety remains our top priority,” Interim City Manager Kari Kibler emphasized in the release. “Following the recent storms, City crews have consistently been inspecting infrastructure, clearing problem areas, and preparing for the next system. We are ready to respond and encourage residents to stay informed, report hazards, and avoid flooded roadways.”

The city is encouraging residents to report flooding or areas of pooled water in streets, blocked storm drains, downed trees or limbs in roadways and power outages or downed power lines. Reporting forms can be found here. Locations for sand for residents can be found here; though residents are expected to bring their own bags. 

The release advises residents to never drive through flooded roadways, keep gutters and drains near homes clear of leaves and debris, avoid creeks and riverbanks in periods of high flow and monitor official city and county channels for updates. 

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