by Diane Weber, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Sporting an orange and yellow reflective vest that matches her short, bright blond hair, Vanessa Viruet greets the American Red Cross volunteers with an energetic grin.

“We’re so glad you’re here,” she said. “No one has been here, and our neighbors need help.”

Although she is not the official community leader, with her contagious energy and excellent English skills, she is the de facto leader of the operation in the predominantly Latino community of Sherwood Forest just outside of Kissimmee. Vanessa bustles between the tables piled with clothes, water and snacks and the Red Cross MURVs (Multi-Use Response Vehicles) bearing food, water, blankets and trash bags for the community. 

An immediate distribution problem presents itself. The road beyond this meeting point is underwater. The Red Cross vehicles cannot pass.

The resolution appears as a camouflage supply truck from Florida Army National Guard rolls up. Captain Nicholas Estes of the 2-124 53rd Infantry Brigade of Hainess City, Florida, tells us he can transport the supplies through the flooded streets. MURV drivers Douglas Lee and Jim Webb (both from Connecticut) and the Guardsmen begin transferring the supplies from the Red Cross vehicle to the truck.

Vanessa jumps in and helps in the loading. Other neighbors join in, and soon a bucket line is moving supplies from one vehicle to the other.

Red Cross Latino Engagement Supervisor Michelle Novelle has orchestrated today’s relief operation, and she stands nearby directing and rapidly translating between the workers and the residents. 

Soon the truck is loaded. Vanessa and a couple of her neighbors, Michelle and a couple of other Red Crossers, and the Guardsmen climb in with the supplies. The truck rolls through the flooded streets. 

“Stop here,” Vanessa calls out and gives the name and house number of a family in need. She points out houses on each side of the street and tells us the names and needs of the residents. 

Unable to sit still any longer, Vanessa soon climbs out of the truck and into the brackish knee-high water and joins the Guardsmen delivering the food and supplies to the homes. For households with children, extra treat bags with Cheetos, juices and cookies are included. 

The Red Crossers and Guardsman on the truck hand down the supplies and keep watch on the stirring waters. 

“Gator!” A Red Crosser calls out and points a few yards back. 

The sighting is confirmed, and Specialist Justin Radalinsky issues the warning, “Move along! Move along!” The pace picks up and the Guardsman, and Vanessa, climb back into the truck as we leave the “cocodilo” behind. 

The group wades even deeper waters a short way up the street, and another warning is called out.

“Snake!”

About 20 yards back, a large head turns side to side as it nears the waders behind the truck. 

This time, the crew waste no time clamoring back into the truck bed, and we pull ahead and leave the curious “culebra” in our wake. 

According to Vanessa, the community of Sherwood Forest consists of about 1,030 families. 

“About half of them are affected by the flooding,” she said. 

The community lies between two narrow rivers, which were engorged by the hurricane and flooded the lower-lying streets and homes. The flooding also brought in fish and the more dangerous river inhabitants. 

“When I first came out here,” said Michelle Novelle of the Red Cross Latino Engagement Team, “children were walking through the streets, some carrying large sticks.” Then she explains, “They said those were to ward off the alligators and the snakes.”

The supplies are delivered, and the truck returns the crew to higher ground in time to meet two more Red Cross vans with additional supplies. The Guardsmen have been reassigned, but they help unload the trucks before leaving. 

Not to be outdone, Vanessa once again jumps in and helps, calling out instructions to the dozens of neighbors who have congregated in the street. Soon the trucks are unloaded, the supplies are stacked for the residents, a group photo is made and the tired crew disbands.

The last sight is Vanessa’s bright grin and wave. 

To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.