As the American Red Cross responds to multiple disasters across the country and beyond, the organization is just days away from a blood supply crisis and urgently encourages eligible donors to schedule a blood donation today.

More than 1,000 trained disaster workers are helping those affected by the wildfires burning on the West Coast, by the tornadoes and flooding in the East, by Tropical Storm Bertha on the Gulf Coast and by the two super typhoons that left devastation on Guam and the Marianas Islands.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD On July 13, the Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Learn more here. 

While thousands of people have stepped up to help, extreme heat, poor air quality and the various weather-related challenges affecting people from coast to coast are slowing efforts to rebuild the blood supply to sufficient levels.

Donors ─ especially those with type O ─ are needed immediately to ensure hospitals have the blood they need for the patients whose lives depend on transfusions. Book an appointment to give blood by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

During periods of extreme weather or poor air quality, donors should make responsible decisions about their health and safety and plan donation appointments accordingly. We ask that only those who are feeling healthy and well ─ and who meet all eligibility requirements ─ come out to donate blood or platelets.

WILDFIRES RESPONSE The National Interagency Fire Center reports there are large fires burning thousands of acres in Oregon, California, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Washington and New Mexico.

The Red Cross has shelters open in Colorado, Oregon, California, Utah and Washington where people can stay or stop by for a hot meal, charge their phone and get other support. Air quality is poor throughout the area and the Red Cross is providing air scrubbers and N95 masks. Red Cross teams are supporting damage assessment in the affected communities which will help determine what help is needed in the weeks to come. In Colorado, some evacuation orders are being lifted and Red Crossers will be present as they return home to provide water, relief supplies and access to Red Cross casework to help them determine their next steps.

FLOODING, TORNADOES Severe weather covered a large swath of the East from Kentucky to New England Tuesday, causing tornadoes and flooding in some areas.

Kentucky and West Virginia saw tornadoes and flash flooding which damaged homes and other structures, causing power outages and road closures throughout the area. In West Virginia, there were many water rescues, first responders getting people out of flooded homes and cars. Flooding also occurred in Kentucky, and strong winds tore off roofs and downed trees.

The Red Cross opened shelters for those affected where more than 100 people stayed overnight. Working with officials, Red Cross teams are supporting damage assessment in the affected communities which will help determine what help is needed in the weeks to come.

TROPICAL STORM BERTHA, TEXAS FLOODING Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move along the Gulf Coast today, bringing 50 mph winds, heavy rain and flooding to communities from the Florida Panhandle to the Louisiana coast as it heads toward Texas on Friday.

The National Hurricane Center warns Bertha could cause flooding in Texas where just days ago more than 20 inches of rain fell in some neighborhoods, causing flash flooding emergencies in the area.

Along the coast, the Red Cross is monitoring Bertha, identifying shelters and putting disaster teams on standby to help if needed. In Texas, the Red Cross has been helping people since the earlier storm. A shelter is open in Uvalde and the Red Cross is working with partners to ensure people get the help they need as Bertha threatens.

SUPER TYPHOON BAVI The Red Cross remains on Guam and the Marianas Islands after two super typhoons hit the islands only 83 days apart. The storms caused widespread damage, many families being displaced twice.

Red Cross disaster teams are managing and supporting shelters in Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota. Working with our partners, they are supporting efforts to get households stabilized with food, emergency supplies, health & mental health services and financial assistance.

As part of Operation Inafa'maolek, the Red Cross is tailoring support to the distinct needs, cultures and conditions of each island and community.  Some of these additional supplies include coolers, tarps, solar lights, flashlights, hand sanitizer and wipes, bug repellent, mosquito nets, butane stoves, collapsible water jugs, sunscreen, first aid kits, portable showers, camping shower tents, soap, solar fans and meal kits related to the local culture.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like floods, wildfires and countless other crises by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief.

You can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country.

You can also help by becoming a volunteer. We invite you to get involved by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.