VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A Valley City couple who volunteer with the American Red Cross will be heading to assist in the flooding situation in Louisiana.

According to Regional Communications Officer Brian Shawn, at least 11,000 people are in dozens of emergency shelters in Louisiana after unprecedented flooding has left 15 rivers in record flood stage.

“Local officials have reported making more than 20,000 water rescues, and are estimating that 10,000 homes have been damaged. Many areas are still inaccessible,” Shawn says in a release.

Paul and Barb Henke of Valley City will be deploying early this morning and driving an Emergency Response Vehicle from North Dakota to Louisiana to assist with mobile feeding and supply distribution.

“This is an extremely chaotic situation right now, with life-threatening flood waters, power outages and road closures complicating relief efforts – as many local volunteers have also been directly affected by the flooding,” Shawn said. “The Red Cross is mobilizing a massive relief effort which will be our largest since Hurricane Sandy.”

Red Cross disaster volunteers are opening shelters, providing meals and comfort. Additional volunteers, relief supplies and emergency response vehicles are moving toward Louisiana now to bolster response efforts.

Flooding is expected to continue for several days, and once waters recede it will take some time to fully uncover the extent of the devastation. The Red Cross will be working closely partners in the days ahead to ensure people receive the help they need as quickly as possible.