How to get and give help following historic Columbia floods

As heavy rainfall and flooding continues to threaten communities across South Carolina, local organizations are doing what they can to help those in need.

HOW TO GET HELP

Anyone needing assistance is encouraged to reach out to the Red Cross by calling (843) 764-2323.

The Salvation Army of the Midlands has mobile kitchen canteens located at the Lexington Leisure Center and Seven Oaks Center for anyone needing a hot meal.

The Lexington Leisure Center is at 108 Park Road in Lexington and the Seven Oaks Center is at 200 Leisure Ln. in Columbia.

Columbia Metro Baptist Association is opening a shelter at Rosewood Baptist Church at 2901 Rosewood Drive in Columbia for families who have been evacuated because of flooding.

The Salvation Army, in partnership with United Way of the Midlands, the City of Columbia, the Midlands Housing Alliance and The COMET, is providing mass feeding and hydration support at an Inclement Weather Center shelter in Columbia through Sunday. The center is at 191 Calhoun Street.

To find additional shelters in your area, follow this link: http://ow.ly/SYub1 or download the ‪Red Cross‬ Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of hurricanes and flooding, as well as locations of shelters. http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/emergency-app

The City of Columbia is urging people to call 9-1-1 for life threatening emergencies only. An alternate non-emergency number is (803) 252-2911.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Red Cross is especially in need of volunteers to assist with opening and operating shelters as well as disaster assessment. These volunteers assist with registration, set-up of sleeping areas, feeding and sharing information. New volunteers can visit RedCross.org/SC or call (843) 764-2323 x321.

United Way of the Midlands is looking for volunteers. To volunteer, contact Jennifer Moore at jmoore@uway.org

If you would like to contribute the United Way of the Midlands’ Flood Disaster Relief Fund, go to http://uway.org/news/flood-disaster-relief-fund

This story was originally published October 4, 2015 at 8:01 PM with the headline "How to get and give help following historic Columbia floods."