DAVENPORT, IOWA (April 27, 2023) — In response to the flooding along the Mississippi River, the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at 1111 West Kimberly Rd in Davenport, Iowa. The shelter is available for individuals affected by the flooding. Pets are allowed, provided owners bring a kennel and all pet supplies.

Those utilizing the shelter are encouraged to bring whatever personal supplies are needed, including medications, toiletries or other similar items. Meals and water will be available at the shelter.

If residents affected by flooding are in need of a meal, the following feeding locations will begin serving food at 5PM, today, April 27. Starting today and until further notice, dinner will be available at these locations 5-7PM and lunch will be available from noon to 2PM daily. Bottled water will be available at all locations.

Iowa Locations

  • Pleasant Valley Fire Station parking lot at 24495 Valley Dr in Bettendorf, Iowa
  • Parking lot at the corner of South Concord St and Utah Ave in Davenport, Iowa

Illinois Location

  • Parking lot at the old fire station on Campbell’s Island in East Moline, Illinois

If your residence has been affected by flooding, please call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) for assistance and information.

Flood Safety

Floods can be dangerous — people die by drowning when they don’t evacuate before floodwaters come or when they enter floodwaters. Floodwaters carry waste and pollute drinking water. Flooding can develop slowly or quickly. Prepare now to protect yourself and your loved ones.

BEFORE A FLOOD:

○ Learn about the types of flooding that can impact your home and community.

○ Know if you are in an area that is prone to river floods. Review your evacuation plan so that you can leave quickly if officials advise you to evacuate.

○ Plan to move to higher ground before flooding begins.

○ Know your home and community’s flood risk. Visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and search for your home using your address.

○ Reach out to your local office of emergency management for advice.

DURING A FLOOD:

○ Turn Around, Don't Drown! Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches (15 cm) of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over, and twelve inches (30 cm) can carry your vehicle away.

AFTER A FLOOD:

○ If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before going home.

○ Avoid fallen power lines, poles, and wires. They can electrocute you.

○ Watch out for falling trees and other debris.

○ Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles, to reduce fire risk.

○ Many injuries happen during cleanup. Wear protective equipment, like boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear, and an N95 respirator to protect your lungs. Follow the advice of local public health officials.

○ Learn how to use equipment safely. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water because you could get electrocuted.

○ Cleaning up is a big job. Take care of yourself. Work with a partner and take frequent breaks.

○ Flooding can contaminate drinking water. Check with your local public health department about drinking water safety.

○ Don’t get sick from eating spoiled food. Throw out food that got wet or warm. When in doubt, throw it out!

○ Stay away from floodwaters. They may contain sewage, sharp items, and chemicals that can make you ill.

○ If your home was flooded, dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can within 24 to 48 hours, if possible. If you cannot return to dry your home within 24 to 48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. When it is safe to return home, completely dry everything, clean up the mold and make sure you don’t still have a moisture problem. Keep wet areas well-ventilated. Throw away wet materials that can’t be repaired or dried.

○ Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper — or even outside near an open window.

About the American Red Cross of Illinois The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, and Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott, and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion, and Ralls. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about forty 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. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Twitter @RedCrossIL.

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