Last July, a massive storm system hit Berks County with 5” to 8” inches of rain causing flash flooding in multiple areas. American Red Cross PA Rivers Chapter, a United Way agency partner, jumped into action by providing shelter for residents of a Reading apartment complex, with additional calls for help coming from the areas of Antietam, Muhlenberg and Fleetwood. Simultaneously, Red Cross canvassed neighborhoods to assist in tracking damaged, destroyed and uninhabitable homes and calculated damage estimates. Over the course of the week, Red Cross provided support to more than 100 clients, with 88 shelter stays, distributed nearly 200 cleanup kits and provided 374 meals.
The Red Cross opened 33 cases for families whose homes were destroyed or unlivable, providing almost $30,000 in immediate financial assistance. This was the first significant flooding event in several years for Berks County, and the Red Cross was able to provide support for many in collaboration with partners and municipalities. During this same period, Red Cross volunteers responded to several home fires in Berks County to provide comfort and care to the affected families. Funding from the United Way of Berks County enables the Red Cross to have trained volunteers, supplies, and the financial resources to meet community needs when disaster strikes.