Red Cross Offers Shelter For Flood Victims [Video]

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley has established a shelter at the First Presbyterian Church, 1605 Genesee Street, in Utica for those who have been affected by flooding.

It's open to everyone in Utica and the surrounding areas who have sustained flood damage to their homes, said executive director Andre De Lisle Heath.

"Chadwicks, Whitesboro, North and South Utica and everywhere in between. We make sure they have a place to feel safe," she said.

Residents active in cleaning their homes who would like a meal can also go to the church, even if they are not planning to stay overnight.

Providing support for those who have been hit hardest by this week's storms and flooding is different that services offered by the Red Cross for victim's of house fires, De Lisle Health said.

The immediate needs include clean water, food and place to rest, she said.

There concerns include "...safety getting back into their homes, foundations shifiting, whether or not they have a hot water tank. While we don't provide those things, we help arrange and make sure people have steps in place or know about available resources so they can get their lives back together," De Lisle Heath said.

Although, this is no typically the type of assitance provided to fire victims, this is similar to what was offered to victims of fire at Obliston Apartments, Heath said, allowing them a termporary shelter until they can get back into their homes.

The Red Cross shelter established Thursday in Newport is no longer operating, De Lisle Health said.