Richmond's Red Cross warehouse sent 100,000 meals yesterday to flood victims in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

"This is a very large shipment that's going out," said Bill Harrison, Greater Richmond Red Cross Chapter spokesman.

The night before, 25,000 meals went to Cedar Falls and Madison, Wis., said Daren Couples, Disaster Field Service Center warehouse manager. A call could come at any time for more food, he said.

Sure enough, Couples' phone rang about 4:30 p.m. yesterday to send 5,000 meals to Indianapolis the same day.

Already $6 million has been spent to help flood victims, Harrison said, adding the Red Cross is anticipating spending $15 million more.

"People are motivated to donate to us when there is a major disaster," he said, "fortunately, there hasn't been a major disaster."

However, this leaves the Red Cross in need of money, especially with storm season on its way, Harrison said.

The Richmond warehouse can hold emergency supplies for 500,000 people for three days, Harrison said.

Richmond's Red Cross warehouse is one of the five largest nationwide, Couples said. The other biggest are in Reno, Nev.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; St. Joseph, Mo.; and Atlanta.

According to the truck drivers loading their rigs yesterday, it takes about a day to get to Iowa, so meals should arrive there today.

Contact Sarah Alfaham at (804) 649-6435 or salfaham@timesdispatch.com.