Red Cross Responds as Severe Winter Weather Impacts California

This information was last updated on Friday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. Please check back regularly for updates.

March 22, 2023. Red Cross Warehouse, Alameda, California. American Red Cross volunteers, Lisa Wright-Bishop and Vicki McNeil, load cleanup supplies to be distributed to residents affected by the California Atmospheric River Event. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross

Much of California continues its recovery from yet another round of intense rain and wind earlier this week.

Thursday night 732 people took refuge in 17 Red Cross and partner shelters statewide. Within our region, 530 people were supported in 11 shelters.

The American Red Cross has been helping in California since the atmospheric river onslaught began in late December of last year and is currently responding all over the state alongside local and state officials to help ensure people get the assistance they need.

For an updated map of road/lane closures, please visit the CalTrans QuickMap. Check your route before heading out!

Shelters

The following shelters are open in anticipation of forecast weather and potential for flooding. Open shelters may also be found online at redcross.org/shelter.

Monterey County

Santa Cruz County

San Joaquin County

  • Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, Manteca CA 95337

Stanislaus County:

  • Salvation Army, Red Shield Community Center, 1649 Las Vegas St, Modesto, CA 95358
  • Stanislaus Fairgrounds–RV Grounds Outdoor Shelter, 800 N. Broadway Ave, Turlock, CA 95380


Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters, and anyone affected by the extreme weather can always stop by the shelter to access Red Cross services, warm up, and contact loved ones regardless of whether or not they choose to stay overnight at the shelter.

Donating Items at Shelters

Please do not drop off items like blankets, toys, food, etc. at Red Cross shelters. We appreciate everyone’s desire to help during a disaster, but the Red Cross does not have the capacity to accept, process, clean, organize or distribute these items. We work with our partners to procure items for our shelters and ensure everyone who comes to our shelters has everything they need.

Stay Up-to-Date on Social Media

Updated information on the Red Cross response to this storm, and preparedness information is updated regularly on our regional social media channels:

Sign up to volunteer

While trained Red Cross volunteers and staff continue to manage the response efforts, we are looking for additional volunteers to help with disaster response and recovery activities. Apply online to become a Red Cross volunteer by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday if you are interested in helping with this response or responses like this in the future.

Blood During Disasters

The Red Cross is working to maintain a stable blood supply amid the threat of storms and winter weather across the country, as severe weather often causes widespread blood drive cancellations. Where it is safe to do so, we encourage donors to make and keep blood donation appointments by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).