By Lori Baker, Communications Volunteer

Red Cross volunteer Caroline Scudder traveled 3,800 miles from Arizona to Guam and Saipan to help typhoon victims rebuild their lives.

She deployed on July 5 for her first overseas Red Cross disaster response and will be serving until July 26.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit the region on April 14, causing widespread damage in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands. Then it happened again on July 6 ─ Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall as thousands of people were living in tents or with tarps for roofs.

Caroline and other Red Crossers set foot in Guam on July 8, about 30 hours after the last of Bavi.

“Since these are remote islands which have been economically challenged, the vast majority of residents don't have the money for flight tickets to evacuate and these are the people whose homes are less solidly built, too,” Caroline said.

“Thus they had to ride out Bavi in their damaged homes — or perhaps hunker down with neighbors.  The people I spoke to have all talked about the terrifying rage, sounds of wind and destruction, and oppressive darkness while it went over,” she added.

Besides providing emergency shelter for residents, Caroline helped deliver hot meals to residents without power and water, and emergency supplies (clean-up kits, tarps, and bottled water) to several households. In addition, she and other Red Cross volunteers walked neighborhoods and documented storm damage.

She described the devastation:

“Many homes were damaged with roofing blown off, windows shattered, some homes knocked off their foundations or even leveled completely so residents had temporary fixes like tarps, tapes, and boards or were living in tents when Bavi made landfall. These temporary fixes were removed by Bavi, and the exposed homes and businesses were damaged further.

“Power lines and water lines were heavily damaged, leading to power and water outages across all the islands. Roads are pocked and some small sinkholes are opening up as the heavy rain caused floodwaters to erode the ground under the roads. Many trees fell and livestock was killed or escaped, and fields and gardens were destroyed.”

Caroline said the strength and resilience of every Island resident she’s interacted with has been  incredible.

“Their positivity and giving attitude is impressive — I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to help in this disaster and I would recommend it to anyone curious about doing any aspect of volunteering,” she said.

Caroline, who is pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, became a Red Cross volunteer in 2024 working with the Southern Arizona Chapter after retiring from the Marine Corps.

She deployed to Pikeville, Kentucky for flash flooding relief in March 2025 and to Houston, Texas for winter weather in January 2026 where she provided safe shelter and food for disaster victims.  

Caroline, a Yuma resident, also supports the Red Cross Sound the Alarm program, inspecting and installing smoke detectors, as well as providing fire safety education, in the homes of interested clients.

She encourages others to become Red Cross volunteers.

“I enjoy helping people and I get to do that along with travelling to some cool places and meeting awesome people,” Caroline said.

HOW TO HELP
You can help people affected by disasters like floods, storms and countless other crises by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.

You can also help by becoming a volunteer. Get involved and register as a volunteer by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.