Miami, FL (June 1, 2023) — People in South Florida are facing another active year of hurricanes and the American Red Cross South Florida Region urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

“Across the country, we’re launching nearly twice as many major disaster relief operations as we did a decade ago, much of that attributed to the climate crisis,” said Tiffany Page, Volunteer Services Officer, South Florida Region. “Because of this dramatic jump in the number of large disasters to which we are responding, we need more volunteers so we can continue providing relief on a near-constant basis to make sure families are supported when they need it most.”

Red Cross volunteers make up 90% of our workforce. Across the country, they’re continuously providing shelter, comfort, hot meals, health services and recovery support to families in need. Just in 2023, 147 local Red Cross volunteers have assisted disaster relief operations across the country starting on the West Coast after severe weather brought heavy rain across California and the Southwest followed by the deadly tornados that swept across the South and Midwest in the Spring and most recently, the historic flooding in Broward County, Florida, which brought over 25 inches of rain and provided conditions for two short-lived tornadoes.

In the last 10 years, the number of billion-dollar disasters in the U.S. has increased 70%. And in our country’s history, hurricanes have accounted for eight of the 10 most costly weather disasters. These powerful storms not only cause problems for people in coastal areas but can also cause damage hundreds of miles inland. The American Red Cross is preparing to respond if necessary and urges everyone to get ready too.

BECOME A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday for more information. Our most-needed disaster positions include:

• SHELTER SUPPORT: Help at a shelter during a large disaster by welcoming and registering residents, serving meals, setting up cots, distributing blankets and personal hygiene kits, and providing information and other assistance to people in need. 
• HEALTH SERVICES: We also need volunteers who can use their professional skills as a licensed health care provider to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN. 
• DISASTER ACTION TEAM: While big hurricanes get the most news coverage, smaller disasters, such as home fires, are no less devastating to those affected. Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families in need by providing food, lodging, comfort, recovery assistance and other support.

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY NOW With the increasing risk of climate disasters, it’s more important than ever to follow the three steps below to help keep your family safe. Plus, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and more safety tips. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps..

• Build an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information.
• Make an evacuation plan with what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans — and don’t forget your pets.
• Know how to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.

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/SouthFlorida, or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.