Provided Relief to Over 189 People in July

by: Catie Ballenger Disaster Response Comment off

Throughout the month of July, the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming opened two evacuation centers and one shelter to provide support for individuals who were affected by severe flooding and mudslides because of heavy rain in wildfire burn scar areas. 

Red Cross volunteers opened an evacuation center at Foundations Church in Loveland, CO to provide support for the individuals who are affected by severe flooding in the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar areas in Larimer County.

So far this year, mudslides along burn scars have caused dozens of road shutdowns, resulting in severe delays in traffic, significant detours and stranded travelers. Neighborhoods and houses in rural areas were placed under evacuation orders leaving individuals temporarily without shelter. All month, Red Cross volunteers have stood ready and answered the call to shelter and provide comfort to those in need and will continue, as long as they are needed.

In addition to flood response, volunteers responded to 71 local disasters to help 189 people with urgent needs like food, lodging and recovery assistance.

Large-scale disasters make up only part of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming’s disaster responses. Along with major crises in our backyard and coast to coast, we continued to address the nation’s most prevalent disaster, home fires. Often among the first on the scene, our trained disaster response volunteers meet with affected families—providing comforts like warm blankets, food and shelter—and help them begin to plan their recovery.

Breakdown of the CO & WY 87 county service area for July 2021:

  • Mile High Chapter (MHC) responded to 28 calls for service and helped 67 people. The MHC response area includes ten counties in the Denver Metro area.
  • Southeastern Colorado Chapter (SECO) responded to 10 calls for service and helped 32 people. The SECO response area includes 16 counties.
  • Northern Colorado Chapter (NOCO) responded to three calls for service and helped nine people. The NOCO response area includes 11 counties.
  • Western Colorado Chapter (WECO) responded to 12 calls for service and helped 29 people. The WECO response area covers 27 counties, serving all western Colorado and the San Luis Valley.
  • Wyoming Chapter (WYO) responded to 16 calls for assistance and provided care to 47 people. The WYO response area covers 21 counties in the state of Wyoming.