Since Debby made landfall in North Florida on Monday, August 5, as a Category 1 Hurricane, hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers have helped people across the southeast impacted by historic rainfall and flooding.

Debby’s slow forward speed along Florida's Gulf Coast -- a crawl of about 3 MPH at one time -- resulted in many communities experiencing double-digit rainfall totals. Sarasota and Manatee Counties received some of the worst -- up to 19 inches -- causing many streams and rivers to rise into flood stage.

With partners, the Red Cross has:
 

• Operated or supported (with resources) safe shelters before, during and after the storm.
• Delivered hot meals, snacks and water in flooded neighborhoods.
• Distributed emergency relief supplies like clean-up kits, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags and work gloves for people cleaning up their homes.
• Worked with local officials to assess residential damage to help better understand what help families may need in the coming days and weeks ahead.
• Supported Multi-Agency Resource Centers in Sarasota and Manatee Counties with relief supplies, meals and disaster health care workers.

The climate crisis is impacting the frequency and intensity of disasters like Debby. This hurricane season is off to a dramatic start with Hurricane Beryl becoming the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded, quickly followed by Hurricane Debby and its significant flooding. All signs indicate that 2024 could become one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record, especially with the peak of the season still to come.

HOW TO HELP People urgently need aid now. You can help by making a financial donation or becoming a volunteer at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

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