Most local disaster assistance is provided to victims of house fires. Other types of local disasters include: Blizzard & snow related emergencies Wind & other weather emergencies Carbon monoxide poisoning Multi-vehicle accidents Chemical spills Assistance to disaster victims is given in various ways: Vouchers for food, clothing, & household goods Shelter Health services & referrals Referrals to housing agencies, social services, etc. The Cortland Red Cross reaches out to all of Cortland County. Disasters have been responded to in Cortland, Cortlandville, Cincinnatus, Homer, Marathon, McGraw, Cuyler, Harford, Solon, Tully & Willet. The Chapter spent about $4,565.82 on disaster victims between June & December 2006. More than half of which was spent in June alone. In this time, there were a total of 9 disasters, which affected 22 families & over 58 people. Money provided by the American Red Cross goes toward personal items such as clothing, groceries, meals & bed linens, as well as housing. Money spent on housing may go towards providing the family with a hotel room for the immediate future if the family has no where else to go and their house has suffered significant damages or to assist with first month’s rent if the home has been destroyed. Health provisions may include supplying such necessities as medications which have been lost in a fire or other disaster. As spring approaches, Cortland County faces possible flooding and storms. But remember, at the American Red Cross, “…We’ll be there” because “help can’t wait.”