NSDRF Search Teams ANDREW PITCHER & CHIEF and DAMON WIRTH & GEORGE of Nebraska Task Force 1 were deployed early Friday morning (with teammates Rhonda Comegys & Stryker and Laura Denison & Keeper) to assist in rescue efforts following torrential downpours and flooding throughout Colorado. Rescuers from Colorado Task Force 1 and Utah Task Force 1 are also responding to the region. The two SDF teams were also deployed to the deadly Oklahoma tornadoes last May.

Our thoughts are with the families in the affected areas and with the first responders sent in to ensure no one is left behind in the wreckage. At times like these, we stand together as a nation and support those in harm’s way.

The American Red Cross continues to be there for thousands of people impacted by devastating flash floods in Colorado and other states. The latest update is below.

Flooding Update
Beginning around September 11, more than half a year’s worth of rain fell in a three day period causing flooding in several counties in Central and Northern Colorado. The rainfall in the Boulder area alone was enough to qualify the storm as a 1 in a 1,000 year event.

In Colorado, the threat for flash flooding has significantly diminished across northeast Colorado; however, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are still possible today across the region, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours.

Due to the historic flooding in Colorado, thousands of evacuations have occurred statewide. Nearly 3,000 residences are still without power and approximately 3,500 others without natural gas, and boil water orders are still in effect for several counties. Dozens of roads remain closed, and the government estimates that as many as 18,000 homes are affected. Access to some communities remains difficult due to flood waters and damaged roads.

American Red Cross Response
The American Red Cross is supporting rescue operations in Colorado by providing food, shelter, relief supplies and comfort to thousands of people forced from their homes by devastating flash flooding. As flooded areas begin to re-open, the Red Cross will be there to assess the damage, distribute clean up supplies and support a recovery effort that will take weeks and months. We’re already planning for that effort now.

The Red Cross is working closely with local emergency management officials, the Colorado National Guard and community organizations to ensure people get the help they need. More than 250 trained Red Cross disaster workers are deployed to Colorado, along with more than 20 emergency response vehicles and six trucks of relief supplies. Working with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Red Cross has served more than 7,100 meals and snacks.

Flooding has also caused numerous evacuations in New Mexico and Texas and Red Cross workers are helping people in those states, providing shelter, meals and comfort for those affected. More than 50 people spent Sunday night in four shelters in New Mexico and Texas. The region continues to be a relief priority for the Red Cross as more rain is expected in the area from tropical storm systems over the next few days.

Honor Roll: Annual Disaster Giving Program and Disaster Responder
Through the generosity of our American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) and Disaster Responder members, the American Red Cross is prepared before disaster strikes. ADGP and Disaster Responder members help secure a reliable funding base for disaster relief services that enables the Red Cross to respond immediately, meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by disaster anywhere in the United States, regardless of cost.

Right now the Red Cross is on the ground and taking action with the support of our ADGP and Disaster Responder partners.

Current ADGP members are:

• 3M
• Altria Group
• American Express
• Aon
• AT&T
• Bank of America
• BNY Mellon
• Caterpillar Inc.
• CHS Foundation
• Cisco Foundation
• Citi Foundation
• The Clorox Company
• Community Safety Foundation, funded by CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
• ConAgra Foods Foundation
• Costco Wholesale Corporation
• Darden Restaurants Foundation
• Dell Inc.
• Discover
• Disney
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group
• Edison International
• FedEx Corporation
• GE Foundation
• H-E-B
• Hewlett-Packard Company Foundation
• The Home Depot Foundation
• Humble Bundle
• jcpenney
• John Deere Foundation
• Johnson Controls
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Kraft Foods Group
• Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
• Medtronic
• Meijer
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Mondelēz International
• National Grid
• Nationwide Insurance Foundation
• Northrop Grumman Foundation
• PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation
• Southwest Airlines
• Sprint
• State Farm
• State Street
• Target
• Texas Instruments
• The TJX Companies, Inc.
• University of Phoenix
• UPS
• US Airways
• VSP℠ Vision care for life
• Walmart
• WellPoint Foundation
• Wells Fargo 

Current Disaster Responder members are:

• AstraZeneca
• AXA Foundation
• Delta Air Lines
• Farmers Insurance
• Ford Motor Company
• General Motors Foundation
• H&M
• H&R Block
• Ingersoll Rand Foundation
• Morgan Stanley
• New Balance Foundation
• Northwestern Mutual and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation
• Procter & Gamble Company
• PuroClean
• Residence Inn by Marriott
• Ryder Charitable Foundation
• Starbucks Coffee Company and Starbucks Foundation
• Sunoco
• Tyson Foods, Inc.
• U.S. Bank
• Wawa
• Western Union Foundation

How to Help

• Make a Financial Gift to Disaster Relief - Help us help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the recent floods and tornadoes, by making a financial gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
• Donate Blood or Host A Blood Drive – Encourage employees to participate in community blood drives and/or host a blood drive on-site for both staff and customers. As a blood drive sponsor, you can help meet the blood needs of patients in your community and across the United States.
• Implement a Customer Donation Program – Give your customers the opportunity to support Disaster Relief by simply adding a dollar amount to their total purchase.
• Sponsor an Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program – Engage employees by sponsoring a fundraising campaign in support of Disaster Relief and provide an incentive to participate by matching employee donations.
• Conduct a Percentage of Sales Program – Showcase your commitment to the Red Cross and the people we serve while generating sales for your company by donating a percentage of your sales to Disaster Relief.
• Donate Ad Space - Donate a portion of your advertising inventory and help share our stories about the individuals, families and communities affected by disaster.
• Place a Red Cross Banner Ad on Your Website – Place a Red Cross banner ad on your company website to reinforce your support of the Red Cross and encourage donations through our Donate Now webpage.
• Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to Make a Donation – Customers of participating wireless carriers can make a $10 donation to support Disaster Relief by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. Donations will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid account. Message and Data rates may apply. Full terms and privacy policy can be found at redcross.org/m.

Your help allows the American Red Cross to be there for victims of disaster, whenever or wherever help is needed.

American Red Cross: 520 West 49th St New York, NY 10019 l O (212) 875-2130 F (646) 557-5877 C (312) 404-1189 l redcross.org

The need for on the ground assistance is still great and the Red Cross will continue to provide support as long as they are needed.