American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter Assisting Residents Affected by Flooding and Severe Weather.

CLEVELAND -- Volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter are mobilized to assist residents of Northeast Ohio who have been displaced or otherwise affected by the severe weather and flooding which occurred yesterday.

Widespread damage across multiple communities in the State of Ohio has led to power outages, flooding, wind damage and evacuations. Early reports indicate as many as 500-700 homes in Cuyahoga County may have been affected in some manner by the storm.

The Red Cross disaster teams have begun to deliver disaster assistance to families including damage assessment, food and water distribution, clean up kits, counseling and,if necessary, shelter. The Red Cross also has a liaison at Cuyahoga County's Emergency Operations Center to ensure a coordinated and efficient relay of information and plan for response.

Families affected by this severe weather event needing emergency Red Cross assistance should contact the Chapter at 216.431.3010.

"Our emergency response effort to the countless families affected by this severe weather event is our top priority and every effort is being made to work with the County and various city officials to provide assistance," said Mary-Alice Frank, CEO. "It has been a challenging month for Greater Clevelanders with a multitude of fires and now the flooding situation. The Red Cross will be on hand as long as we are needed to help families transition from this natural disaster."

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money by the American people. You can help the victims of the Ohio floods and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross Chapter or to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington DC, 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.