Thursday, April 01, 2010 — The American Red Cross is on the scene as floodwaters slowly begin to recede in rain-soaked New England, where residents are beginning the difficult job of cleaning up their homes.

Trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground operating shelters, feeding those forced from their homes, and beginning to distribute cleaning supplies and comfort kits. The rains stopped Wednesday, but officials say the worst flooding in 200 years could persist for several days. Bridges and highways are washed out from Maine to Connecticut and sewage systems are overwhelmed.

“The devastation is statewide in Rhode Island,” said Judy Sperling-Newton, Red Cross Public Affairs manager onsite in the affected region.  “There are many communities involved and land transportation is difficult. The Red Cross is

Be Red Cross Ready - Flood Safety Checklist [PDF]

providing critical services for those who would otherwise be totally isolated.”

As conditions improve, the Red Cross shares these steps for people to remain safe as they return to their neighborhoods:

• Return home only when officials have declared the area safe.
• Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage.
• Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports.
• Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home with the floodwater.
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
• If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.
• Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.
• Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
• Contact your local or state public health department for specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area after a disaster as water may be contaminated.

For more important information on how to be prepared should a disaster head occur in your neighborhood, visit the Preparedness section of our Web site.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.