CLEWISTON, Fla. (May 25, 2023) – After strong, sustained winds from a severe thunderstorm caused the roof at the Clewiston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to collapse, the South Florida Red Cross worked closely with Hendry County Emergency Management to support a temporary shelter to provide comfort to the affected residents.
The temporary shelter was located at the John Boy Auditorium at 1200 W C Owen Avenue, Clewiston, Florida. Red Cross staff and volunteers provided snacks and water to more than 100 shelter residents.
Overnight, the shelter residents were transferred to nearby nursing home facilities coordinated by local emergency management officials and the shelter was closed by 2:00 a.m.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are more critical than ever as the climate crisis worsens and the need for shelter, hot meals, health services, emotional support grows. The Red Cross is now launching nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago, and with hurricane season on the horizon, we have a critical need to fill vital volunteer positions. Visit redcross.org/SFLvolunteer to get started today. Training is free, but the hope you provide as a Red Cross volunteer to people in need is priceless.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS EMERGENCY APP Have safety and first aid information at your fingertips. The emergency app features weather alerts, information on open Red Cross shelters, a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm, and a one-touch "I’m Safe” button that lets you use social media outlets to let family and friends know you are okay. The apps include a Spanish language toggle switch and can be downloaded by visiting redcross.org/apps.
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/SouthFlorida or visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.