The American Red Cross of Alaska continues work supporting those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Florence. More than two weeks after landfall, flooding continues in the Carolinas and the American Red Cross is still working around the clock to provide shelter, food, comfort and other emergency supplies and support to victims of the storm.

To date, 29 members of the American Red Cross of Alaska have been deployed to support victims of Hurricane Flor-ence, including 24 volunteers, 4 staff members and one board member. Some have returned home after spending weeks supporting relief efforts, and many still remain on the ground in affected areas. The volunteers, who come from all over the state of Alaska, are performing essential support functions including sheltering, distribution of medical sup-plies, meals and emergency kits, medical and mental health care, logistics and communications.

This week more than 1,520 displaced residents stayed in 26 Red Cross and community shelters in the Carolinas.  Since the storm made landfall, more than 114,700 overnight stays have been provided for those displaced by the hurricane; 92% of these stays have been provided by the American Red Cross. 

Working with our partners, the Red Cross has served more than 921,000 meals and snacks from 10 kitchens located in affected areas and from more than 70 mobile food trucks which circulate through the affected neighborhoods.  Additionally, we’ve distributed more than 138,200 relief items like diapers and comfort kits that contain deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items, as well as water, tarps, and clean-up kits for people forced from their homes.  Volunteer mental health and health services professionals have provided more than 29,100 contacts to provide support and care to those affected.

Hurricane Florence made landfall just south of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina early on September 14th as a Category 1 storm.  Florence set storm rainfall records in two states, exceeding 20 inches in South Carolina and 35 inches in North Carolina.  Preliminary surveys suggest between 8,000 and 10,000 homes may have suffered major damage or were completely destroyed by the hurricane.

How to support American Red Cross relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Florence
Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Florence relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or at 1-800-RED CROSS.  Individuals can also text the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

American Red Cross of Alaska Media Contact:
Cari Dighton, the American Red Cross of Alaska Regional Communications Officer is presently on the ground in Fayetteville, NC and is available by telephone at 907-782-7520 or by Skype.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters. Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.