Now, more than 500 Red Cross disaster responders have begun to circulate throughout communities in Florida and Georgia that were affected by Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall Wednesday, August 30.

Disaster responders have been bringing tremendous support to these communities in several ways. First, to speak with residents of the affected communities to get their perspective on the storm and how they’ve personally been affected and to distribute things they may need following the storm. As we get a better understanding of the needs of each community and the resources we need to provide them, we are focused on distributing essentials such as food, water and cleaning supplies.

The Red Cross has been organizing its disaster and logistics teams to coordinate the distribution of these items in several hard-hit neighborhoods after Hurricane Idalia using their Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV). Volunteers like Holly Swiney are handing meal kits to residents and hearing their stories. Jerry Sapp, pictured with Holly, had a home in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, that suffered substantial damages from strong winds and storm surge caused by the storm. “I watched it collapse on camera. There was an 11-foot wave that came over it, and in a second, it was destroyed,” recalls Jerry.

As a result of the climate crisis, scientists warn that hurricanes are becoming more intense and more destructive with increased rainfall and higher storm surges. As extreme weather increases, more people need help from the Red Cross. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis at redcross.org/climate.

Help people affected by Hurricane Idalia by visiting redcross.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or texting the word IDALIA to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Financial contributions to Hurricane Idalia enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

Written by Dariana Molina/American Red Cross

Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross