Volunteers Michael Hill and Ed Paulton roll out in the Tampa-based emergency response vehicle, heading to the northern Gulf Coast.
TAMPA, Fla. – August 30, 2021 – Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana on Sunday -- the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina -- as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm. The American Red Cross is there, working side-by-side with our partners to provide shelter and comfort for people in need.
Today, nine additional local workers and a fourth emergency response vehicle from Central Florida are traveling to the Gulf Coast to help with the relief effort. This brings the total number of local responders to 29 for Hurricane Ida, with 20 others supporting disaster relief operations for western wildfires and flooding in Tennessee, as well as providing support services to U.S. military installations receiving evacuees.
Michael Hill, a Tampa Bay Chapter volunteer, left today as part of a two-person crew driving a fourth emergency response vehicle to Mobile, Alabama. This is the staging area for dozens of vehicles and their crews who will be moving into the devastated areas as soon as local authorities say it is safe to do so.
When asked what motivates him to volunteer, Hill, explains, “In my past, I was in law enforcement for 32 years. I had the privilege of working with the Red Cross in that capacity and I found out they were a fantastic organization. After I retired, I joined the Red Cross and I’ve been with this organization for almost six years -- and that’s because the need is there and I have the ability help.”
NATIONAL RED CROSS RESPONSE Right now, the Red Cross is focused on providing safe shelter, meals and comfort for people in need. Some 350 trained Red Cross workers are on the ground now with hundreds more traveling from all over the country to help. Sunday night, more than 2,500 people sought refuge in some 60 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
More emergency supplies will be moving into the region as the weather improves and roads are reopened. In the coming days, dozens of Red Cross emergency response vehicles will begin bringing food and relief supplies to people across the region.
The Red Cross also pre-positioned blood products ahead of the storm and stocked many of our hospitals in the areas potentially impacted to help ensure patients have continued access to lifesaving blood transfusions.
It’s important to remember that responding to disasters is a team effort and no single organization can do it alone -- this is particularly true in this current environment.
HOW TO HELP Individuals can help people affected by Hurricane Ida by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting the word IDA to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Every gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every donation matters.
For those who would like to help by becoming a volunteer, visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to get started. New volunteers will train locally and are encouraged to get involved with disaster response in our communities prior to deployment outside the area. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult their health care provider and follow local guidance. Our top priority is the health and safety of our workforce and the people we serve.
The American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands serves 19 Florida counties through five chapters: Florida’s Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay; and the Virgin Islands territories of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, visit redcross.org. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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