(Radio Iowa) – The executive director of the Central Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross is on assignment in New Orleans, helping to coordinate the agency’s relief efforts in the region following Hurricane Ida. The category-four storm came ashore August 29th with winds of up to 150 miles an hour and Leslie Schaffer (SHAY-fur), of Des Moines, says and the goal now is to help residents on the Gulf Coast to recover. “We’re just trying to put an operation together that helps the people,” Schaffer says. “There’s such great need here, a lot of destruction, a lot of flooding, and people are still without power, they’re still without plumbing.”

While most of New Orleans has seen electricity restored, Schaffer says many outlying areas are still without power, which makes life miserable as the humidity is high and temperatures are topping out in the mid 90s. Red Cross response vehicles are fanned out in Louisiana, helping residents with whatever they need, from clean-up kits and hot meals to shelter and mental health counseling. “We go out and deliver the service and we know the American public will support us, so we go out there and do what we need to do,” Schaffer says. “Supporting the American Red Cross financially is the most efficient and effective way to help down here.”

Officials say 91 deaths are confirmed in relation to Ida, including 13 in Louisiana. Schaffer says some Iowans may want to get more involved than making a financial donation. “If they’re interested in helping in the future, they can contact the Red Cross and become a Red Cross volunteer and be ready when we have the next disaster — and I can guarantee you, there will be more disasters,” Schaffer says. “We need to build our capacity in Iowa.”

To help those impacted by Hurricane Ida, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word “IDA” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Ames, Iowa —Two people died during a crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 35, south of Ames. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash involving a semi and numerous other vehicles, happened on southbound I-35 at around 1:50-p.m., near mile marker 106.

Troopers say a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by 32-year-old Matthew Rewiltzer, of Eagle Bend, MN, was in the left lane, when the rig failed to stop in a safe distance for vehicles ahead of it, that included a 2016 GMC Canyon and a 2005 GMC Econoline van. Those vehicles were stopped due to traffic congestion. After the semi hit the GMC’s, it continued forward, striking another semi and two additional semis and a van.

The driver of the GMC Canyon, 81-year-old Gordon Martens, and his passenger, 70-year-old Nora Martens, both of Van Meter, died at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts. The crash, which closed the southbound lanes of I-35 until approximately 6:30 p.m., remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans know all too well that natural disasters can strike at any time during any month and the Internal Revenue Service is urging us to plan ahead for the worst. I-R-S spokesman Michael Devine says one of the first things to do to prepare for an emergency like a tornado, fire or flood is to create a disaster plan. “This needs to be reviewed over time because your situation changes, whether in your personal life or in your business,” Devine says. “If you don’t have a plan, go to our website, irs.gov, and there are disaster loss workbooks that you can download and they’ll give you a very good start.”

There is a host of important documents that Iowans need to keep in a secure location — which might just be in your kitchen.  “You need to know where your original documents are, your tax returns, your birth certificates, your marriage certificate, insurance policies, titles,” Devine says. “One of the best ways to do it is to put them in a double-sealed bag, two zip-lock bags, and put them at the bottom of your freezer.” Photos after various disasters often show the heavy refrigerator remains in place when the rest of the house is in ruins. Safety deposit boxes are secure, but Devine says a bank may not be the best place to store a valuable document.

“Take a picture of it or scan it, put it on a flash drive or a CD, so you have access to it rather than having to worry about getting into the bank,” Devine says. “If you look at what’s happening in Louisiana, they may not have power for days or weeks and until the bank gets power, they can’t open the doors.” Devine says you could also shoot video of your possessions and email them to yourself just to have on hand for insurance purposes.