OAKHURST — The American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter has opened two evacuation shelters due to flooding in Madera and Mariposa Counties. Red Cross volunteers will provide safe shelter, water, meals, and additional resources to evacuees impacted by these major storms.
Shelter Locations:
- New Life Christian Fellowship (5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA 95338)
- Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Fresno Flats Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644)
If they have time, evacuating residents are encouraged to bring the following for each family member: prescription and other emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents, and other comfort items. Additionally, unique items for children and infants, such as diapers, formulas, and toys, should be brought along with other items for family members who may have other needs.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free.
People can find information for open Red Cross and partner shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or by going to redcross.org/apps. You can also check with local officials and monitor local news for information on where to find emergency shelters.
- Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway, turn around immediately and go another way.
- Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
- Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home.
- Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwaters.
- Offer to help people who require special assistance, including older adults, those without transportation, large families, people with disabilities, and those who care for them.
- If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your public works, fire, or police department.
- Listen for unusual sounds indicating moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
- If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly.
- Be especially alert when driving— watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flow.
- If you are ordered or decide to evacuate, take your animals with you.
- Use flashlights in the dark — not candles.
- Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out, and roads will likely be congested.
- Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment and appliances. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
- Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outside, away from doors, windows, and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Complete generator safety information is available here.
- During a prolonged outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first, then food from the freezer. If the power outage continues beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and cover it at all times.
We will continuously update our list of shelter information here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/centralcalifornia or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCCR.
