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Red Cross updates Merrillville council: about 20 families remain in hotel assistance as recovery continues
Summary
Ashley Smith of the Red Cross told the Merrillville council the organization is supporting about 20 families (14 children) placed in hotels by a state partner after recent tornadoes; volunteers and mental-health teams continue outreach and FEMA has begun an on-site review.
Ashley Smith, the American Red Cross's Community Disaster Program Manager for Northwest Indiana, told the Merrillville Town Council on July 14 that the Red Cross is continuing tornado-recovery operations across the region and is using a state partner to house people in hotels.
Smith said the Red Cross has helped rehouse roughly 20 families who are currently in hotels, including 14 children; the organization is providing meals twice daily for residents and coordinating casework and disaster mental-health services. Smith said additional volunteers have come from other states and territories to help the local response and that disaster-health services are assisting residents who have lost medication or mobility equipment.
She also told the council that FEMA will establish a disaster field office in the county government complex and will begin reviewing damage and costs; town administration said it will present a memorialized report to the council on storm-related costs and potential budget follow-ups.
'The Red Cross remains available for residents who need help with housing transitions or school-supply needs, Smith said, and invited councilors and residents to follow up with her after the meeting.
The update emphasized coordination with state agencies and social-service partners; the Red Cross representative asked residents to direct specific requests to the organization so caseworkers can follow up.
