Tenn. Flooding 2011: How To Help

After doing what they could to prepare, Memphis, Tenn. residents on Monday watched as the Mississippi River swelled to the highest level since 1937.

The river level stood at 47.8 feet Monday evening -- about 14 feet above flood stage -- and was expected to crest at 48 feet, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Memphis, Ryan Husted, told CNN.

As of Monday, the river had forced about 400 people from their homes, and President Obama had signed a disaster declaration for the state of Tennessee.

Relief organizations have been working tirelessly to help residents prepare for and recover from the effects of the flood. Find out how you can help.

• • • • • As the American Red Cross continues to assist tornado victims in the storm-ravaged south, it's also preparing to launch a shelter and feeding operation for people living along the Mississippi River. More than 400 Red Cross workers are already in Memphis, supporting efforts there and in nearby communities. It's also sending in leadership teams, disaster workers and thousands of cots, blankets and other relief supplies. To help the thousands of people affected by the floods and other recent storms, make an online donation, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Comments

[Kenz300]

10:57 AM on 05/28/2011

Do not rebuild in a flood plain. These 100 years floods are happening way too often now.
Wetlands are natures water storage areas and help with flood water control. It is time for developers to stop filling in wetlands and building on them only to have the buyer flooded out and the developer walking away with the money. Oh - I forgot Republicans do not like regulations that protect people.

[sheplazguitar]

04:04 PM on 05/21/2011

HOW IS THIS OBAMA CHANGE HELPING YOU NOW?? HAHA 2012 NOT SOON ENOUGH! AND NO...I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN NOR A GREEDY DEMOCRAT

[blahblahblahreally]

06:19 PM on 05/14/2011

Newt is a closet drag queen........................................I'm always the last to know!!

[blahblahblahreally]

08:57 PM on 05/14/2011

Newt you make a great Al Joelson!! yuck, yuck.

[BIG MAMA CORNBREAD]

05:53 PM on 05/14/2011

This is not a joke....call your relatives in another state and tell them that you are on your way...rebuild what and for what reason....rebuild to get ready for the next so called NATURAL DISASTER....I don't think that is a wise idea...did these people have warnings before the flood approached...take your check and get out of there ...what else do you have to lose...YOUR LIFE...so run ...didn't you watch "ROOTS"...RUN TOBY RUN....

[blahblahblahreally]

10:06 AM on 05/15/2011

Could you please be a little bit more inapropriate, I don't think we're offended enough yet. I'm not even black and "RUN TOBY RUN........." bothers me.

[DaMojo]

10:38 AM on 05/14/2011

The centuries of floods in places like Bangladesh were not caused by globalwarmingrepukes.
So why can't we be just as humane and sympathetic to people in our own country?
Shame on those who politicize disasters. I would have thought we would have learned something after Katrina.

[Joseph Schmoe]

08:07 AM on 05/14/2011

How to help
1. Encourage people to not live in a flood zone.

[Keyop]

04:47 PM on 05/13/2011

Also i heard bibles float pretty good too. Git r done

[Keyop]

04:44 PM on 05/13/2011

Let private business help them, cause they do it better. Oh and pray for them.

[rdk70816]

11:52 PM on 05/11/2011

The great floods in the Mississippi valley in 1927 and 1937 are prime examples.

[MsFury]

08:39 PM on 05/10/2011

Maybe the folks in Tennessee should seek help from the Republicans they always put into office.

[rdk70816]

11:53 PM on 05/11/2011

Thinking just like tiur petty and penchant leader Obama, are you not?

[DaMojo]

10:40 AM on 05/14/2011

Like Al Gore and his huge carbon footprint?

[morefreethings]

02:09 PM on 05/10/2011

where are all the looters?

[iridium53]

01:48 PM on 05/10/2011

I pay federal taxes.

Californians get 78 cents back from every federal tax dollar, Tenneseeans get $1.27.
They already declared an emergency and will get more.

All because they can't figure out that the rivers flood - EACH YEAR.
And, don't pay enough local taxes to deal with it.


They should learn some American Exceptionalism - and take care of themselves - instead of being moochers.

[morefreethings]

02:07 PM on 05/10/2011

haha, are you a liberal?

[LisaLisa1234]

01:11 PM on 05/10/2011

Volunteer Mid-South will be at the Kipp Diamond Academy in North Memphis from 9-12 this Saturday, working with the Food Bank. Register to volunteer at volunteermidsouth dot org.

[TrucosR4Ninos]

12:54 PM on 05/10/2011

They can "pray" their way out of this or ask their neighbor for help. It's the Tea Bag way.

[DaMojo]

10:41 AM on 05/14/2011

I am not a religious person but I've noticed when a disaster strikes, God is the first name many people call on. Left or right.

[LazyRepubs]

12:32 PM on 05/10/2011

Find out whether they are republicans or democrats. If they are republicans, tell them to buck up and take it. If they are democrats, assist them financially. Let other democrats and our social insitutions that have the funds help those democrats who are in crisis. Later, when they are on their feet, they also can contribute to a democratic society that is wealthy and takes care of those in temporarily peril. And hire security guards, because we know those republicans, once the waters rise, forgo their principles and are the biggest beggars.