Statewide Iowa — The executive director of the Central Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross is on assignment in New Orleans, helping to coordinate the agency’s relief efforts in the region following Hurricane Ida.
The category-four storm came ashore August 29th with winds of up to 150 miles an hour and Leslie Schaffer of Des Moines, says the goal now is to help residents on the Gulf Coast to recover.
While most of New Orleans has seen electricity restored, Schaffer says many outlying areas are still without power, which makes life miserable as the humidity is high and temperatures are topping out in the mid 90s. Red Cross response vehicles are fanned out in Louisiana, helping residents with whatever they need, from clean-up kits and hot meals to shelter and mental health counseling.
Officials say 91 deaths are confirmed in relation to Ida, including 13 in Louisiana. Schaffer says some Iowans may want to get more involved than making a financial donation.
To help those impacted by Hurricane Ida, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word “IDA” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
