Red Cross disaster relief volunteers circulated through communities affected by the tornado.
WINTER HAVEN, FLA. – October 21, 2019 – Late Friday, storms associated with Tropical Storm Nestor came across West Central Florida spawning two separate tornadoes. Red Cross disaster relief volunteers responded Saturday in the cities of Seminole and Kathleen with emergency relief.
In Polk County, where the most severe damage occurred, Red Cross volunteers in Emergency Response Vehicles moved into the affected communities as soon as it was safe to do so, offering aid to affected residents including emergency relief supplies like tarps, clean up kits, water, snacks and self-heating meals (which can be prepared without power).
“I’m glad I was able to be there and help those affected by this storm,” said Red Cross volunteer Tina Lehman who traveled from Orlando to help with disaster assessment.
Initial reports from Polk County Emergency Management were that approximately 50 homes sustained major damage during the storm. In response to community needs and in support of government partners, an emergency shelter was open Saturday through Monday in South Lakeland for those residents who were impacted. In the coming days and weeks, the Red Cross will work closely with local partners to coordinate resources and services to help people recover.
The Mid-Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Lake Counties with offices in Winter Haven (main), New Port Richey and Leesburg.The Executive Director is Tina Sweeten who joined the Chapter in October 2019. The Mid-Florida Chapter is one of five that comprise the Central Florida Region of the Red Cross. For more information, please visit redcross.org/centralflorida. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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