Hurricane Nicole, the first hurricane to hit the U.S. in November in nearly 40 years, made landfall overnight as a Category 1 storm and weakened to a tropical storm over land. In Central Florida, Nicole impacted some of the same areas where beach erosion caused by Hurricane Ian left several communities “extremely vulnerable.”

A major concern is the possibility of some coastal buildings collapsing due to beach erosion after multiple storms. In other areas of Central Florida, downed power lines, flooded streets and fallen trees created more havoc and clean-up for storm-weary Floridians.

The American Red Cross is working with partners and officials to shelter and support people on Nicole’s path. On Wednesday night, more than 1,500 people escaped storm surge, tropical storm force winds and heavy rain in more than 50 evacuation shelters across Florida, 11 of which were supported by the Red Cross. Additionally, more than 620 people spent Wednesday night in seven Red Cross and partner emergency shelters that opened following Hurricane Ian.

The Red Cross will continue to work closely with emergency management across the state to support current and post-storm sheltering operations.

FIND A SHELTER Find information for open Red Cross shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores or by going to redcross.org/apps. Floridians can also search for an open shelter at floridadisaster.org/shelter-status.

HURRICANE IAN RESPONSE Thousands are still depending on the Red Cross and other organizations for food, water and other support. Preliminary reports indicate almost 18,300 homes in Florida were either destroyed or suffered major damage during Ian and relief organizations, including the Red Cross, are striving to help people who don’t have homes to return to.

More than 2,900 trained Red Cross disaster workers from across the country have supported this massive relief response since late September.

Since shelters were opened, the Red Cross and our partners have provided more than 50,000 overnight stays for more than 6,800 residents in more than 70 emergency shelters. Red Cross workers have already connected with hundreds of families to help them plan for the future and make housing arrangements and are still working with people in shelters. These arrangements will look different for each person.

Trained volunteers are providing health, mental health and spiritual support to families who have suffered unimaginable loss. This includes help coping with new challenges, managing medical conditions, caring for wounds or injuries, and replacing prescription medications or other critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs.

With the help of partners, the Red Cross has provided nearly 1.7 million meals and snacks and distributed more than 404,000 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies. Red Cross emergency response vehicles are delivering meals daily to people in the hardest hit areas, and disaster aid stations are also open where people can get food, relief supplies and other assistance.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

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