24 Shelters Open Across Louisiana

 Red Cross urges people to download free app

The American Red Cross has open emergency shelters across Louisiana to assist those affected by ongoing floods.  Red Cross workers are providing a safe place to sleep, food and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs. The Red Cross is working with parish officials and partners regarding other needs and shelters to open.

Bossier Parish

• Bossier Civic Center – 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, La. 71111

Caddo Parish

• Southern University-Shreveport Gym – 3050 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Shreveport, La. 71107

Caldwell Parish

• Caldwell Parish Community Center – 6539 Highway 165 South, Duty Ferry, La. 71418

Grant Parish

• Grant Civic Center – 1290 Main St., Colfax, La. 71417

Lincoln Parish

• Trinity United Methodist Church – 1000 Woodward Ave., Ruston, La. 71270

Livingston Parish

• First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs – 319 Mattie St., Denham Springs, La. 70726

Morehouse Parish

• First Baptist Church Family Life Center – 560 E. Madison Ave., Bastrop, La. 71270

Ouachita Parish

• Henrietta Johnson Center – 2800 Burg Jones Lane, Monroe, La. 71202
• Liller Marbles Recreation Department – 2950 Renwick St., Monroe, La. 71201
• Emily P. Robinson Center – 3504 Jackson, Monroe, La. 71202
• Saul Adler Community Center – 3900 Westminster Ave., Monroe, La. 71201
• West Monroe Sports Complex – 1802 N. Seventh St., West Monroe, La. 71291

St. Tammany Parish

• Fendlasson Community Center – 13296 Highway 40, Folsom, La. 70437

Tangipahoa Parish

• Eagle Heights Church – 47318 Rufus Bankston Road, Tickfaw, La. 70466
• Kentwood High School – 603 Ninth St., Kentwood, La. 70444
• Loranger High School – 19404 Hiatt St., Loranger, La. 70446

Union Parish

• Willie Davis Jr. Recreation Center – 116 Cox Ferry Road, Farmerville, La. 71241

Washington Parish

• Franklinton High School – 1 Demon Circle, Franklinton, La. 70438 (Note: Tentatively scheduled to close Sunday morning based on shelter needs of residents.)
• Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church – 510 Avenue B, Bogalusa, La. 70427 (Note: Tentatively scheduled to close Sunday afternoon based on shelter needs of residents.)

West Carroll Parish

• Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center – 10284 Highway 17 South, Oak Grove, La. 71263

Community-run shelters are open:

• Rayville Civic Center – 706 N. Louisa St., Rayville, La. 71269
• Covington High School – 73030 Lion Drive, Covington, La. 70433
• Shell Training Center – 23260 Shell Lane, Robert, La. 70455
• First United Methodist Church of Minden – 903 Broadway, Minden, La. 71055

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with all those impacted by these relentless storms,” said Kay W. Wilkins, chief executive of the Red Cross in Louisiana. “Red Cross disaster teams are helping now and will continue to help for weeks to come.”

Anyone evacuating should bring essential items for each member of the family:

• Prescriptions and emergency medications
• Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
• Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents
• Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
• Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys
• Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
• Chargers for any electronic devices you bring with you
• Books, games and other ways to entertain your family and yourself

STAY SAFE

With more severe weather forecasted through the week, the Red Cross encourages everyone to prepare.

• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

• Keep children and pets out of the water, as they are curious and can be harmed by flowing or contaminated water.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

For more information on what to do before, during and after a flood, please visitredcross.org/prepare/disaster/flood.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID APPS

Have safety and first aid information at your fingertips. The Red Cross Emergency app features weather alerts, information on open Red Cross shelters, a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm, and a one-touch “I’m Safe” button that lets you use social media outlets to let family and friends know you are okay. The apps include a Spanish language toggle switch and can be downloaded by visiting redcross.org/apps.

For more updates, follow the American Red Cross of Louisiana on Twitter at @LaRedCross1. You can also visit redcross.org/Louisiana or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

— END–     

Nancy Malone

Public Affairs Director

American Red Cross

Louisiana Region

(225) 268-8107 (c)

[email protected]

Residents of nearly 3,500 homes in Bossier have been affected by a mandatory evacuation order. Authorities are concerned that Red Chute Bayou could rise over the levees and flood homes in the area. Sherrif Whittington said “We feel that we just can’t jeopardize, if this water were to top that levee in the middle of the night, two feet of water, possibly, potentially, could be very dangerous”

Whittington also warned “If people don’t pack up and leave, There may be places we can’t get into at all”