Red Cross closes Mo. Valley shelter

OMAHA — Monday night the Red Cross closed the Missouri Valley shelter due to decreased need.

The shelter has been placed on a stand-by along with many other in Southwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska.

Anyone impacted by the flood is urged to come to a Red Cross shelter where they can get a hot meal, a safe place to stay, and minor first aid. Shelters remain on standby in: Douglas, Cass, Sarpy, Dixon, Cedar, Thurston, and Pottawattamie counties.

Red Cross Shelter Locations (Open 24 hours):

— Fort Calhoun High School; 1506 Lincoln Street, Fort Calhoun, Neb.;

— Peru State College- JF Neal Hall; 600 Hoyt Street, Peru, Neb.;

— Sidney High School, 2754 Knox Road, Sidney, Iowa.

Anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:

— Prescriptions and emergency medications;

— Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements;

— Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents;

— Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items;

— Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys;

— Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled;

— Note - Public health regulations do not permit pets in shelters; service animals are permitted.

For information on flood preparedness or to volunteer, contact the Heartland Chapter in Omaha at (402) 343-7700, the Loess Hills Chapter in Council Bluffs at (712) 322-4017 or the Northeast Nebraska Chapter in Norfolk and Wayne at (402)371-0393 or visit redcross.org.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, and floods, can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.