MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US — Three of the United States’ leading agricultural cooperatives on July 12 announced they are partnering to support the American Red Cross in the wake of heavy rain and severe flooding that devastated parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota at the end of June. CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes will together donate $100,000 to aid relief efforts in the affected region.

The impact of the historic flooding is widespread. Overflowing rivers have destroyed homes, swamped farm fields and washed away bridges in the Midwestern states.

Many residents in impacted regions were forced to flee their homes as the waters rose. Flooding has been particularly devastating in rural communities where the full economic impact due to loss of crops, livestock and equipment is yet to be determined. Several crop analysts have estimated that between 500,000 to 1 million acres of cropland may have been lost due to the flooding in those states.

Working with partners, almost 250 trained Red Cross disaster workers are providing people in impacted communities with safe shelter, food, emotional support, relief supplies and health services such as replacing eyeglasses and medications. The organization has provided more than 28,800 meals and snacks and distributed more than 6,600 relief supplies.

“The American Red Cross is helping across the Midwest, providing support and comfort to those affected by the flooding,” said Gino Greco, chief executive officer, American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. “The Red Cross is working with local officials and community partners to make sure people get the help they need. Where it is safe to do so, Red Cross volunteers are helping assess the residential damage in affected communities. This work could not be done without the generous support of donors like CHS, CoBank and Land O’Lakes.”