Red Cross says storms historic

NEW ORLEANS – The American Red Cross continues to count the human and financial toll of the active 2004 hurricane season.

Near-final damage assessments by the Red Cross report incredible damage to 18 states and U. S. territories, including Louisiana:

€ Hurricane Charley affected 41,000 homes (2,000 destroyed and 5,000 with major damage);

€ Hurricane Frances affected 87,000 homes (12,000 destroyed and 19,000 with major damage);

€ Hurricane Ivan affected 140,000 homes (9,000 destroyed, 18,000 with major damage).

Damage assessments for Jeanne are not yet available.

To date, the Red Cross has sheltered 400,000 people in 1,600 shelters or evacuations centers. Volunteers have served over eight million meals. Nearly 500 ERVs have been deployed to affected areas to distribute hot meals, comfort kits (hygiene products; 149,000 to date), or clean-up kits (113,000 to date). Over 26,000 Red Cross workers have assisted in the relief efforts.

The Red Cross has estimated the cost of relief assistance associated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances to total $68 million. The Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, from which all disaster relief comes, held a cash balance of under one million at the beginning of the fiscal year. Estimates for Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne have not yet been released. The Red Cross is appealing to the American public to assist with disaster relief costs.

Persons interested in donating time or money to disaster relief efforts should contact their local Red Cross chapter, call 1-800-HELP-NOW or log on the www.redcross.org. Training will be involved for some Red Cross volunteers.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne and thousands of other disasters by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the local American Red Cross chapter or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.