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Following a call-out by Northumberland County Council, Red Cross volunteers helped transport elderly residents from their flood-endangered homes to an evacuation centre set up at a local school, which they also helped run. A total of 200 residents, many of them elderly and vulnerable, were housed in either the school centre or county council offices throughout the night.
Emergency floods
As residents converged on the evacuation centre, 18 Red Cross volunteers worked in shifts to provide round the clock care. Judi Evans, operations director, said: “Our volunteers helped and supported many bewildered, sick and traumatised people who were having to come to terms with the temporary loss of their homes and unexpected re-location.
“They also ensured that arrangements were made for overnight accommodation, including acquiring blankets and toiletries for the evacuees.”
Another six fully trained volunteers – equipped with three Red Cross 4x4 ambulances suitable for accessing flooded areas – worked with the North East Ambulance Service in responding to 12 patient call-outs. An ambulance service representative commented: “Isn’t it wonderful that the Red Cross can turn out so quickly and do the job? It was so simple.”
Unique event
Toby Willison, Environment Agency regional director, told BBC News: "What we saw here was a unique event – we recorded the heaviest levels of rain we have ever recorded coming through."
Looking back on the hectic weekend, Judi said: “The response would not have gone so well if it had not been for the smooth operation of our volunteers and staff. Despite the pressures of working in such a stressful situation, they maintained a calm and professional approach throughout.”
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