Flooding and Other Disasters Amidst COVID-19

Disasters like flooding and fires don’t stop during the COVID-19 pandemic and neither does the support of the Canadian Red Cross.

The Red Cross continues to provide care, comfort and assistance to families and communities impacted by personal disasters such as spring flooding and house fires. The only thing that has changed is the way we deliver that support. Now, we are helping virtually by phone and online.

Red Cross assistance can include emergency lodging, food and clothing, sharing information and referrals, and offering emotional support.

“If assistance can’t be provided virtually, our staff and volunteers follow guidelines for the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). These new protocols have already been used,” says Melissa Fougere, Senior Manager for Red Cross Emergency Management in Alberta.

People’s safety and well being is always a top priority, says Jenn McManus, Vice President of Canadian Red Cross for Alberta and Northwest Territories.

“We want everyone to stay healthy along with their families and communities,” McManus explains. “We are here and will continue to be here, supporting Albertans and Canadians.”

Red Cross is also planning for large-scale emergencies like wildfires.
Red Cross is collaborating with all levels of government, Indigenous and community leadership, local authorities and other partners to ensure a coordinated response to disasters in a COVID-19 environment.

You can help too!  Be ready for flooding and other disasters and prepare emergency plans and kits with COVID-19 in mind. Make alternative arrangements in case you become ill or if you need to care for a sick family member.

If you have already dipped into your emergency kit and food supply while staying at home, consider safely replenishing supplies. Follow your local public health authorities’ guidelines for leaving your residence. And consider having enough essential food and water supplies on hand to help you stay home for several weeks. Remember to include pets in your plan!

You can also have preparedness information in your hands at a moment’s notice. Download the Red Cross Be Ready app.

For safety tips and more information on the Canadian Red Cross and COVID-19 response, go to www.redcross.ca/covid19