Red Cross shelters are popping up all over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa in response to record flooding in the area. As of Thursday morning, six emergency shelters have been opened in the area, including the most recent one in Fremont.
The shelters are open to assist those who have been evacuated or displaced from their homes due to flooding in the area. Anyone who has been displaced from their home is urged to come to the shelter. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide a safe place to stay, a hot meal and referrals to community services.
Anyone evacuating to a shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family, including:
- 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
The six shelters open in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa are:
- Green Hills Area Education Agency, 919 N. Chestnut St., Avoca, Iowa
- Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa
- First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska
- Lutheran High Northeast, 2010 N. 37th Street, Norfolk, Nebraska
- North Loup Community Center, 112 S, B Street, North Loup, Nebraska
- Randolph City Auditorium, 110 N. Main Street, Randolph, Nebraska
The shelters will remain open as long as necessary. Download the Red Cross Emergency App for shelter information and to get instant access to information and resources on what to do during a flood. The app is free and can be downloaded in app stores by searching for “American Red Cross”.