Moses Lake residents deployed to hurricane
Photo by Gene Dailey/American Red CrossA home on Park Boulevard in Baton Rouge, La., suffered serious damage as a result of Hurricane Gustav.
MOSES LAKE - Three Moses Lake residents are helping with disaster relief efforts at the site of Hurricane Gustav.
The American Red Cross Apple Valley Chapter deployed Bill Crawford to Jackson, Miss., and Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday. The organization deployed Cheryl and Odin Rondesvedt to Jackson, Miss., on Monday.
All are working as volunteers, according to the Red Cross.
"Bill was sent because he has a background in disaster assessment," said chapter Executive Director Marriah Thornock.
The Rondesvedts bring experience from helping with Hurricane Katrina, Thornock said.
"They got extensive experience in Hurricane Katrina, driving our mobile response vehicle," she said.
Crawford will help the Red Cross determine areas where financial assistance is needed, Thornock said.
Cheryl and Odin Rondesvedt will prepare meals and deliver them to people who returned to their homes but lack electricity, she said.
Thornock said volunteers agree to spend as many as 21 days at a disaster site, helping with relief efforts. The average is one and a half to two weeks.
Anyone interested in helping with efforts can contact the chapter at 509-663-3907.
The Red Cross noted just 7 percent of Americans took actions recommended for disaster preparedness, according to a national survey.
"The important thing to remember is that we can each take steps in being better prepared for both natural and man-made (disasters) that could impact any one of us at any time," Thornock said.
The Red Cross noted it plans to educate schools, families, individuals and businesses on preparing for disasters and emergencies.
On Sept. 27, the Apple Valley Chapter of the Red Cross will provide information at the Moses Lake Farmers Market.
The organization is starting a disaster preparedness class in Wenatchee in September, and organizers hope to extend the class to Moses Lake in October and November, Thorndock said.
More information on the class will be posted at www.applevalleyredcross.org.
A CPR class is offered at the Port of Moses Lake at 6 p.m. on Sept. 18. To sign up, call 509-663-3907.
To donate to the national disaster relief fund, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
To donate to the local disaster relief fund, visit www.applevalleyredcross.org or call 509-663-3907.