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Since 4 a.m. Wednesday, the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross has worked with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to provide a shelter for residents displaced by heavy flooding. In Cabarrus County, two shelters provided relief for affected residents.

Nearly 96 people registered for help with the Greater Carolinas Chapter on Wednesday, and at 9 p.m., about two dozen were utilizing the shelter at East Mecklenburg High School for an overnight stay. Red Cross officials believe more residents may show up as the evening continues.

With the help of the Charlotte Area Transit System, residents were bused from the Doral/Cavalier Apartments and other affected areas to East Meck, where Animal Control assisted with providing shelter for animals displaced by the flooding.

Among the services the Red Cross provided Wednesday:

• Worked with local restaurants to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for clients.
• Provided snacks and drinks.
• Provided blankets and cots for sleeping arrangements.
• Provided transportation on a case-by-case basis for clients who needed to get to medical appointments or had other special needs. This was provided by the transportation system the Greater Carolinas Chapter utilizes year-round, which provides free transportation for residents who do not have an alternative route to a medical-related appointment.
• Provided on-site registered nurses to respond to immediate medical needs.

Thursday afternoon, Red Cross officials will begin case work to determine further needs of affected residents on a case-by-case basis. Based on Thursday’s assessment, an overnight shelter may again be provided.

It is anticipated that Red Cross assistance will be needed throughout the rest of the week. If shelter is needed, residents are advised to take a change of clothes, personal hygiene items and required medications or medical equipment. Personal items for comfort – such as your own pillow, blanket, comfort toy for children and reading materials—may be desired as well. 

Estimated relief costs of these recent floods are not yet known.

Both the Greater Carolinas Red Cross and the Cabarrus County Red Cross are accepting donations to help families affected by this storm.

For Mecklenburg County, donations can be made by calling (704) 347-8271, by donating online at redcrosshelps.org or redcrosshelps.org, or by sending a check to The Greater Carolinas Red Cross at P.O. Box 60766, Charlotte, NC. Please note “Tropical Storm Fay” on the check.

For Cabarrus County, donations can be made by calling (704) 720-7421, by donating online at cabarruscounty.redcross.org or by sending a check to The Cabarrus County Red Cross at 167 Union Street South, Concord NC 28025. Please note “Tropical Storm Fay” on the check.

All donations are tax-deductible.

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You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like Tropical Storm Fay, 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 victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation.