Emergency shelter offered, donations sought for Westmoreland flooding victims

The Red Cross is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to offer shelter for those displaced by flash flooding Friday night in Westmoreland County.

Meanwhile, donated items and money to help flooding victims in Unity Township, Latrobe and Derry — among the hardest-hit areas — are being collected by Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department, which helped residents with evacuation and shelter Friday.

The Red Cross initially helped residents who were displaced from more than 50 homes in the Latrobe area, including the inundated village of Dorothy, just south of town. The organization provided accommodations for 17 of those victims at a hotel in New Stanton but said it expects the number of Westmoreland residents seeking shelter because of floodwater or storm damage to increase in the coming days.

Now the Red Cross is offering emergency overnight shelter at a Pitt-Greensburg housing complex. The shelter opened Saturday night at 504 University Court, Greensburg, in Building A-1, and will be staffed around the clock.

According to the Red Cross, the shelter will provide a safe place to sleep, connection to local resources and help with recovery planning, in addition to meals and snacks.

As of 1 p.m. Sunday, nine people and four pets had received services at the Pitt-Greensburg shelter.

Any Westmoreland resident in need of Red Cross assistance because of flooding or storm damage also may call 800-733-2767.

Lloydsville firefighters are accepting donations of cleaning products and other essential items at their fire hall on behalf of local flooding victims. Items including pet supplies, clothing, toiletries, household items and appliances are being accepted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at 208 Dickens St., Latrobe — which is in Unity.

“Many of those who we are honored to serve as first responders are in dire need of help, as they have suffered significant losses ranging from household possessions to vehicles, and sadly maybe even more,” the department posted online. “The community has always supported our department and its mission, so in the wake of this disaster, we want to do everything we can to return that support to the community.”

Monetary donations also can be made through a link on the fire department’s Facebook page.

Questions about the collection can be submitted through the department’s Facebook app or by calling 724-537-9872.