1998

An unprecedented ice storm crippled southern Quebec, eastern Ontario, and parts of Atlantic Canada in the winter of 1998. Over 3,000 Red Cross volunteers supported rescue and relief efforts. This was the most expensive disaster response in Canadian history.

Canadian Red Cross responds to 1998 ice storms.

On Sept. 28 1998, the national blood program operated by Canadian Red Cross for more than 50 years was transferred to Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec.

In September the Canadian Red Cross responded to the Chinese Sister Society’s need for support after 14 million people were left homeless due to catastrophic flooding of 29 provinces in China. Canadians donated more than $1 million to help the relief efforts.

On Sept. 2, 1998 Swissair flight 111 en route from New York to Geneva went down in the chilly waters of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. The plane shattered on impact leaving no survivors. Over 580 volunteers worked out of the emergency operations centre set up at the Red Cross building in Halifax. The Canadian Red Cross provided support to the families of the victims.

Canadian Red Cross volunteers respond to Swissair flight 111 crash at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.

In September 1998 Hurricane Georges swept through the Caribbean islands leaving more than 500 dead and 600,000 homeless. A total of 179 Canadian Red Cross volunteers assisted survivors of this hurricane.

In October, Hurricane Mitch, the fourth most powerful Atlantic storm recorded in history with winds of 288 kilometres per hour, twisted its way through Central America. There were close to 10,000 deaths and 90,000 homes were either completely or partially destroyed. The Red Cross provided search and rescue, evacuation, first aid, clothing, food, water, and tracing.