Theresa A. Bischoff, ARC/GNY CEO (second from left) and Cesar Rivera, ARC/GNY Director of Response, Northern Counties, (third from left), brief New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer (far right) New York State Senator John J. Bonacic (far left) and William Howard of the New York State Department of Homeland Security (second from right).

The American Red Cross in Greater New York continues to assist people affected by the devastating rains and flooding that occurred along the Delaware and Sullivan County border on June 19 at a Red Cross Reception Center at the Roscoe School in Sullivan County. The Center was opened Wednesday, June 20.

The torrential downpour that flooded the narrow Beaver Kill Canyon ripped up roadway, washed away houses and deposited tons of rocks and mud along an eight mile stretch of Route 206 north of Roscoe, New York. Tragically, the flood left dozens of people homeless, as well as two confirmed dead and two people missing.

In the wake of the flood, more than 50 Chapter volunteers and employees offered assistance and comfort to 23 families from nearby Delaware County driven from their homes, 47 adults and 10 children who relied on the Red Cross in those first hours after disaster struck.

Since Wednesday, Red Cross relief workers have provided more than 2,000 meals, along with snacks and water, to flood victims, as well as to responders from partner agencies supporting the operation. Mental health counseling and disaster chaplaincy services have also been made available to those affected. In total, Red Cross has provided more than $30,000 in direct emergency assistance for housing, food, clothing and medical aid.

Although the Reception Center will cease operations on Friday, June 29, personnel from the Greater New York Sullivan County office in Goshen, New York, will continue to provide one-on-one casework to help the affected families on the road to recovery.