West Virginia (WOAY) The American Red Cross is providing emergency assistance to residents impacted by severe storms, damaging winds, and flooding across several West Virginia counties.
Shelters are currently open in Barbour, Lewis, and Upshur counties, where volunteers are providing cots, blankets, hygiene supplies, hot meals, and charging stations for those in need.
Red Cross teams are also assessing damage to help determine what assistance families may need in the coming days.
Anyone affected by the storms can visit a shelter for support or call 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance.
The Red Cross is also reminding residents to stay safe during cleanup by avoiding floodwaters and downed power lines, wearing protective gear, and never using generators or charcoal grills indoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Meanwhile, the organization says it is facing an emergency blood and platelet shortage following severe weather across the country and is urging eligible donors, especially those with Type O blood, to schedule an appointment when it is safe to do so.
