Red Cross Stepping Into Flooded Areas
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Posted: 2:09 PM Apr 7, 2009
Red Cross Stepping Into Flooded Areas
Now that the rains have stopped what's next for all people dealing with severe flooding? The Central Panhandle Red Cross Chapter is preparing to step-in as soon as the waters recede.
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It's been a long and exhausting week for local Red Cross Director Bob Pearce who found himself working past 2a.m. most night's last week.

Although, it appears the rain has stopped for now, the real work is only just beginning for Pearce and his disaster relief teams.

Five of the six counties that make up the Central Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross are still experiencing above flood levels and are still operating under a state of emergency.

"We're waiting for that water to recede so damage assessment teams can get in those areas and start getting a house by house count of how many houses were destroyed," says Pearce.

Pearce says he does not yet know which areas were hit worst, but he has an idea.

"I expect the hardest hit area is probably going to be Howard's Creek," says Pearce.

The good news is, many Gulf County homes are not primary residences, but fishing camps and vacation homes.

Pearce expects Calhoun County, Southern Washington County near Ebro and Holmes County will also need help.

All of the evacuation shelters are now closed. In fact they were never needed.

Pearce says, "No one came to the shelter and i think it's indication that rising water people hesitate to leave their places."

And that's a sign that this flooding could have been a lot worse than it was.

"I've heard of no real no real reports of injuries or death or anything like that I think in all in all we've been very lucky across our area..very lucky," says Pearce.

Like most charitable organizations, the Red Cross could use money, especially with hurricane season just around the corner.
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