KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Executive Director of the North Central Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross traveled to Plattsburgh, New York.
Deane Valkenaar came back after two weeks of providing his services to the victims of the flooded areas of northern New York state.
The flooded areas were caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee that brought torrential rains across New York and Pennsylvania.
The rural areas surrounding Plattsburgh, New York, which is located about sixty miles south of the Canadian border, were hit badly from all the rain.
Valkenaar covered two counties and coordinated between the Emergency Operation Center and the American Red Cross to get necessities to the victims.
Valkenaar said, "It's interesting because rural New York is a lot like rural Missouri. People do not go to shelters. They will do anything in their power to stay with friends, families or homes they probably should not stay in. We sent people door to door checking on people and providing things they needed." Food, water, shelter, clean up kits, shovels, rakes, gloves and masks were some of the necessities provided.
Another woman from the North Central Missouri Chapter was deployed September 10th for two to three weeks to provide her services as well. Valkenaar thinks this is the first time they have ever deployed someone nationally from the chapter.
Valkenaar said that this is an ongoing big operation that will probably cost the American Red Cross in excess of ten to fifteen million dollars.
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