16 Minnesotans Deployed to Help with Flooding in Louisiana

MINNESOTA -- 16 volunteers and one emergency response vehicle from Minnesota have been deployed by the American Red Cross, to help thousands of people impacted by the flooding in Louisiana.

More than 40 thousand homes have been damaged and families have been left to stay in Red Cross shelters. Carrie Carlson-Guest the American Red Cross Minnesota Regional Communications Officer, says this is the worst disaster to hit the United States, since superstorm Sandy.

"We are helping ten's of thousands of people in the area says Carlson-Guest.  As of right now, we have 18 people from Minnesota. 16 of those are deployed to Lousiana and we also have two people deployed to the blue cut wildfire in California. Minnesotan's are helping not just here at home, but across the country"

Carlson-Guest says, the volunteers that have been deployed are focused on helping those in need. There has not been a lot of communication back with them yet.

Red Cross volunteers have served over 100,000 meals/ snacks, helped reconnect families, and have provided health and mental health services.

Despite the damage the state of Lousiana is facing, volunteers from across different states have come together to help during this time.

Carlson-Guest says, the best thing people can do to help those that are affected by the disaster is to make a financial donation.

They can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers, to sign up visit American Red Cross.