News : Red Cross/Salvation Army flood recovery recourse center to be open in Vinton, today and tomorrow

The American Red Cross will open Community Resource Centers to help people affected by flooding in northern and eastern Iowa.

The Benton County center will be open today and tomorrow, Oct. 2-3, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Benton County Emergency Management Office, 213 2nd Avenue, Vinton.

At the resource center, the Red Cross and Salvation Army will have supplies available for residents that are beginning the process of cleaning up including clean-up kits, with bleach and mops, DampRid, shovels, rakes, flash lights, dust masks, trash bags, tarps and totes. Food, water and snacks will also be available.

Red Cross healthcare workers will also be there to help with minor medical needs, and trained mental health workers will be available to provide emotional support and coping strategies.

Residents can also get information about resources and the recovery process at the Community Resource Center. Red Cross caseworkers will be available to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance from the state and local organizations.

Red Cross disaster responders will continue to work closely with emergency management officials the flood impacted counties to determine the type of assistance that is needed to help families in the recovery process.

The Red Cross has mobilized nearly 200 trained disaster responders from across Iowa and across the country. They are meetingone-on-one with peoplewho need additional supporttocreate recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other agencies.In addition, licensed Red Cross nurses and mental health workers are meeting with families in the Cedar Rapids shelters and in affected communities across northern and eastern Iowa. They will provide minor first aid, if needed, and emotional support during this difficult time.

RedCross workershave served more than 10,965 meals and snacksandhanded out more than 3,000 relief items such as toiletries and Red Cross cleanup kits which include items like bleach, shovels, rakes and gloves.

Information about the Red Cross response as well as other community services that are available can be found at redcross.org/Iowa-Flood.

Another resource for those in need is United Way 2-1-1. It is available for individuals in need of information or assistance. Unfortunately, some cell phone carriers and VOIPs do not recognize the short code 211. If you are unable to use the short code, please call 319-739-4211 or 1-866-469-2211.

More information about the Red Cross response is available on Twitter, please follow @GreaterIA_ARC and like us on Facebook - American Red Cross Iowa. Photos of the American Red Cross are available on Flickr.