THOUSANDS AFFECTED BY FLASH FLOODS IN REGION

American Red Cross disaster operations officials said Sunday that several thousand people have been affected or made homeless by last week's flash flooding in Southeast Missouri. But they said few of those impacted by the floodwaters are showing up at Red Cross emergency shelters or requesting emergency assistance from the Red Cross.

"Based on surveys made last week by our disaster assessment teams, we believe at least 1,000 families were affected by the flash flooding." said Mary Burton, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Red Cross chapter office. "However, we're having a very difficult time reaching these people and getting them to come into the shelters or request emergency assistance," she said.

"We are dealing with rural people who are very proud and independent, and would rather stay in their cars than in a shelter. They are reluctant to accept emergency assistance. But we want to get the word out to them that we are set up to offer shelter and other emergency assistance to those who were affected by the flash flooding."

Burton said the Cape Girardeau office is coordinating flash flood relief operations in 20 Southeast Missouri counties and five Southern Illinois counties.

Said Burton: "The hardest hit counties in Southeast Missouri are Carter, Butler, Wayne, Bollinger, Reynolds, Iron, and Ste. Francois. However, the flood damage goes as far north as Valley Park southwest of St. Louis. In Southern Illinois, we have disaster operations under way in Jackson, Williamson, Franklin, Johnson, Lawrence and White counties."

Burton said Red Cross Family Service centers are now open at the Ellington VFW Hall and at the Missouri National Guard Armory in Fredericktown. Hours of operation at both centers are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Burton said the family assistance centers provide such necessities as food, clothing, household items, shelter, and replacement medical supplies. In addition, clean-up kits are also available to assist in cleanup after the water has gone down. All are provided at no charge as a gift from the Red Cross, made possible by the donations from the American people.

"On Monday, Red Cross outreach teams will be in the Elvins and Annapolis area trying to locate flood victims and let them know about our disaster relief. Throughout the week they will work through all of the affected counties," said Burton. "If anyone has been affected by the flooding, or made homeless, and cannot contact the Red Cross by phone, they should contact their nearest law enforcement agency and ask them to relay their request for help to the Red Cross in Cape Girardeau. The 24-hour number is 335-9471."

Red Cross flash flood disaster operations began early Nov. 14, when the extent of damage caused by floodwaters became apparent. Burton said two Red Cross vehicles loaded with blankets and food were immediately dispatched that morning from Cape Girardeau to Ellington to set up an emergency shelter.

As of today, more than 150 Red Cross volunteers are now involved in the disaster relief operation that's being coordinated from Cape Girardeau. "It started with Cape Girardeau because we are the largest and most active Red Cross chapter in the region," said Burton. "Other Red Cross volunteers and emergency services vehicles have been sent into this area from throughout the United States."

Burton said the Red Cross is looking for more people who would like to become trained volunteers to assist in the current disaster operation and in future Red Cross disaster operations.

She said: "We're looking for volunteers who can be trained right now in damage assessment. We have a national Red Cross trainer in Cape this week. We want to get as many trained in damage assessment as possible because this type of thing will certainly occur again.

"We're also looking for professional people, nurses and mental health-care people who would like to volunteer their services in disaster relief operations. Anyone interested in becoming a trained Red Cross volunteer should contact our training coordinator, Patty Oliver, at 339-7315."