News : Red Cross, EMA ask residents to do nothing, for now

Benton County Emergency Management Director Scott Hansen and the American Red Cross are asking area residents who want to help those affected by storms to do the hardest thing of all do to: Wait.

Sometimes, in situations like these, says Red Cross Program Manager Brian Keath, good-hearted people bring donations to red cross shelters, and end up burdening the agency with items it can't use or even dispose of easily.

For now, Keath says, residents should do nothing.

The Red Cross is providing for the immediate needs of those most severely affected by Sunday morning's storm; it is providing food and shelter.

In the near future, there will be many opportunities to help these people on a long-term basis, with donations of clothing or other items lost in the storm, and long-term housing needs. But for now, the Red Cross needs nothing, and wants nothing.

On Monday, case workers will begin interviewing families to help plan long-term assistance.

Keath has worked in other disaster areas where unsolicited donations became a burden to the Red Cross.