TAMPA, Fla. – August 11, 2023 – The American Red Cross is on the ground in Hawaii where tragic wildfires continue to burn. Hundreds of homes and businesses are destroyed, thousands have no power, and all phone and cell services are down, making communications extremely difficult.
As of Thursday, most fires on Maui were still burning, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. Trained Red Cross disaster workers in Hawaii opened shelters on two islands in which thousands of people sought refuge from the fires.
More help is on the way as disaster teams deploy from the other Hawaiian Islands and across the country.
Early this morning, six Central Florida volunteers boarded flights, most before sunrise, to begin the long journey to support relief operations for at least three weeks:
Working with officials and partners, our teams are providing evacuees with a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support during this challenging time. When it is safe to do so, Red Cross teams will help with damage assessment and distributing relief supplies.
The American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands stands ready to deploy more disaster-trained workers as needed.
FIND LOVED ONES For people who need assistance locating a missing loved one due to the current disaster, please call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select Option 4. Follow the voice prompts for "Hawaii Wildfires." Please note call volume is high and callers may experience longer wait times.
CLIMATE CRISIS Wildfires -- along with the ongoing heat wave -- are clear examples of how the intensity of climate-rated disasters is worsening. Globally, the climate crisis is increasing the intensity of extreme heat, droughts and hurricanes. As these extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross. Find more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.
HOW TO HELP People can help by making a financial 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 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
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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