Hurricane Sally: Red Cross Helps as Clean Up Continues

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Red Cross volunteers brought multiple Emergency Response Vehicles and trucks full of emergency supplies to assist residents cleaning out yards and homes damaged by the winds and flooding of Hurricane Sally. Red Cross photo by Jaka Vinsek

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Red Cross volunteers distribute clean-up kits to help residents of Pensacola and the surrounding areas. Red Cross photo by Jaka Vinsek

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Clemencia McDonald was at home in Pensacola when Hurricane Sally struck, sending a tree branch through the glass door of her apartment. Red Cross photo by Jaka Vinsek

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Sakeybia Lowe went through Hurricane Katrina and has now been impacted by Hurricane Sally as she and her family take refuge at a shelter in Pensacola. Red Cross photo by Jaka Vinsek

September 24, 2020

As Gulf Coast residents work to recover from the destruction left behind by Hurricane Sally, the American Red Cross is helping across multiple states, making sure people have a safe place to stay, food to eat and the relief supplies they need to clean up their homes and neighborhoods.

RED CROSS RESPONSE

More than 430 trained Red Cross disaster workers are supporting recovery efforts on the ground or virtually.
Volunteers are supporting distribution sites where people can get food, water and emergency supplies, and in some areas Red Cross emergency response vehicles are also circulating through impacted neighborhoods with food and supplies.
Wednesday night, 53 people stayed in shelters supported by the Red Cross and other organizations.
Volunteers and partners have served more than 66,000 meals and snacks, distributed almost 64,000 relief items and have provided more than 2,900 individual care contacts to help people with medical or disability needs or provide emotional and spiritual support during these challenging times. This includes replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or other medical equipment.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Thousands of people are depending on the Red Cross for support right now. You can help by making a donation, giving blood or becoming a volunteer.

Make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricanes Sally and Laura by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED-CROSS or texting the word HURRICANES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance. Ensure your donation helps people affected by Hurricanes Sally and Laura by choosing that option on redcross.org/donate or 800-RED-CROSS. Want to help people specifically affected by Hurricane Sally? Write “Hurricane Sally” in the memo line of a check and mail it to your local Red Cross chapter with the completed donation form.

If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Recent disasters have only compounded ongoing challenges to maintaining a sufficient supply of blood products for hospital patients in need due to COVID-19. Blood drives have been canceled in unprecedented numbers during this pandemic as organizations, businesses and schools have temporarily closed or restricted access to these community locations where drives are held for the public.

To help restock hospital shelves, the Red Cross urges eligible individuals in parts of the country unaffected by these disasters to give blood, platelets or plasma for patients in need of transfusions. Please schedule an appointment to donate by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

SAFETY STEPS

Let friends and family know you’re safe - Register yourself as safe on the Safe and Well website
Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
Stay out of any building that has water around it.
Keep away from loose or dangling power lines. Report them immediately to the power company.
Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.
Reach out to and help people who may need additional assistance — infants, older adults, those without transportation, large families, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.

If you are using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions. Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outside away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Operate the generator on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up by poles. Don’t touch a generator with wet hands. Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.