DENVER -- American Red Cross disaster workers from Colorado are helping more than 8,400 Louisiana residents displaced by the historic flooding that’s crippled areas near Baton Rouge.
“The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross.
The Red Cross says some volunteers have already started their trip to Louisiana and even more will be heading that way soon. Two emergency response vehicles will also be deployed this week, along with four volunteers.
There are 36 Red Cross shelters in place in Louisiana right now.
More than 1,000 disaster volunteers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are helping with the relief efforts.
“The Red Cross is mounting a massive relief operation, which we anticipate will cost at least $30 million and that number may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation,” said Kieserman.
11 people have been killed in the floods.