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President Barack Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for three counties this weekend after flash floods killed at least 25 people and washed away homes. Thousands more were forced from their homes or left without power as heavy rains overflowed rivers and streams and washed out roads in 44 of the state’s 55 counties. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said it was the worst flooding in a century for some parts of the state.
AmeriCares first shipment, which includes insulin for diabetic patients who lost medication in the floodwaters and Tdap vaccine to protect residents cleaning up the damage, is on the way to West Virginia Health Right, a free clinic in Charleston. First aid supplies and 1,500 hygiene kits will follow.
AmeriCares is also working with Nestlé Waters North America to deliver four truckloads of bottled water to the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway.
“An emergency of this scale is just devastating for the affected communities,” said Kate Dischino, AmeriCares director of emergency response. “We are working to ensure survivors have access to critical medicine and relief supplies during a difficult time.”
AmeriCares has delivered medical relief and humanitarian assistance to people in crisis since 1979. The emergency response and global health organization stocks medicine and relief supplies in its Connecticut warehouse that can be delivered quickly to partner health clinics and food banks across the U.S. AmeriCares has a long history of responding to U.S. emergencies, including Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Sandy and the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes.
Click here to make a donation to AmeriCares U.S. Disaster Relief Fund.
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