Last week in celebration of National Volunteer Week we talked a lot on this blog about our volunteers from across Canada. This week, we're turning our attention to a team of volunteers in Western Canada who are ramping up for what could be among the worst flooding to occur in their communities.
Rivers are swelling as a result of the spring thaw and families in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are preparing for evacuations. For some, evacuations have already occurred.
Since flood forecasts were released this past winter, emergency responders have been monitoring the situation knowing that flooding is likely because of higher than average snowpack, extreme ground saturation and predictions of increased precipitation resulting from it being a “La Nina” weather year.
Our teams have been working around the clock for weeks to prepare to respond to this looming disaster. The core of that team is 1,100 volunteers who are already trained to respond to disasters such as this. Their role will be to assist with evacuations, ensure evacuated families are registered, help run shelters, and distribute urgently needed relief items. Already we have more than 8,700 comfort kits (containing hygiene items), 12,000 blankets, 3,500 cots, 4 trailers to transport goods and 2 emergency response vehicles on standby.
Volunteers will also be ready to help families affected by the floods by providing them with clean-up kits that contain mops, buckets and other supplies.
Have a look at this slideshow to see our volunteers in action:
Want to volunteer?
The Canadian Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to help with the flooding response. If you want to help with these efforts or any other Red Cross activities, please contact your local Red Cross office.
Click here for more info about the Canadian Red Cross response to the floods.