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NJ Red Cross volunteers deploy to Louisiana to help with flood relief

The American Red Cross is helping more than 10,000 people in dozens of emergency shelters in Louisiana after unprecedented flooding has sent 15 rivers to record levels.

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Red Cross volunteers from Valley City, Grand Forks and Minot are heading into the teeth of the flooding.

Regional Communications Manager Jennifer Heisler says, “We’re still recovering from our own floods back in October”. Just go down there to help ’cause they need the help.

New and fellow volunteer, Dennis Thompson will leave Wichita for Baton Rouge at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

In St. James Parish officials say they fear their communities are about to get inundated. “This morning I was watching it on the television and I thought, I can help”.

The agency is taking donations to continue to help those in Louisiana.

“Right when I walked in the shelter, it nearly felt like a punch in the gut”.

Heisler says, “That’s really the first step during this response”. Since Friday, more than 30,000 people have been rescued thanks to volunteers like Johnston.

According to a news release from the Red Cross, the organization housed more than 10,000 people in at least 50 shelters Sunday night.

Dustin Calhoun, Red Cross Disaster Program Manager for Central and Western South Dakota, commends volunteers like Michaelson.

He’s helping pack up supplies to bring people affected by the floods.

“I just try to keep them calm and just let them know I’m glad you’re okay”.

Bobalik also said one volunteer will help set up computer systems to help with mobile operations. People have lost their lives…and homes and businesses have been destroyed. “They’re kind of in shock”.

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Tollefson has been a disaster volunteer for three years, and this will be his second deployment this summer. “South Carolinians are very generous and we don’t wait for people to call us, we call them and say what can we do to help you and that’s who we are”, he said.

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