DAVENPORT, IOWA (May 8, 2023) — As of Sunday, May 7, the American Red Cross has provided 4,322 meals to those affected by the flooding in the Quad Cities. The Red Cross will continue daily meal service through Wednesday, May 10, serving lunch daily 12-2PM and dinner 5-7PM.
This Wednesday, the Red Cross will conclude daily meal service with the distribution of food boxes for those affected by flooding. The boxes contain a variety of food items and should last approximately five days for a family of four; boxes will be distributed based on household size. The food included will accommodate most dietary needs, but anyone with special dietary needs should notify the Red Cross at the meal site.
The food boxes weigh 37 pounds, and volunteers will be on hand to help load the boxes. Food boxes can be picked up during the dinner meal service Wednesday, May 10, 5-7PM, at these locations:
- Pleasant Valley Fire Department — 24495 Valley Dr, Bettendorf, Iowa
- South Concord and Utah Ave in Davenport, Iowa
- Buffalo City Hall — 329 Dodge St, Buffalo, Iowa
- Campbell’s Island — parking lot at the old fire station
Cases of bottled water and cleaning supplies including buckets, sponges, rakes, shovels, work gloves, N95 masks, and trash bags will be available Thursday, May 11, 5-7PM, at the following locations:
- Community Center — 428 River Dr, Princeton, Iowa
- South Concord and Utah Ave in Davenport, Iowa
- Campbell’s Island — parking lot at the old fire station
It is important to take precautions to stay safe when returning to your home after flooding recedes. Here are some tips to follow to keep you and your family safe:
- 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 clean-up. 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.
Click here for more flood safety tips.
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 Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RedCrossIL.
