“Red Cross nurses and shelter workers make me feel safe in the middle of all this chaos and I am so grateful for all they have done to help my family and me – they are my angels.”
ATLANTA, GA – Wednesday, September 13, 2017– Following damage reported in several counties after Hurricane Irma moved through Georgia this week, the American Red Cross is providing comfort and hope to people affected statewide. The Red Cross will continue to work with emergency partners to coordinate relief efforts in local communities as residents begin the clean-up and recovery process.
Today, disaster volunteer teams are mobilizing to begin visiting impacted areas to pinpoint and assess damage to homes and reach out to residents with resources and support. Since the severe weather began on Monday, the Red Cross in Georgia and its partners have:
When word came to evacuate Hinesville, Georgia, Lular Brown and her son Ron knew they would be leaving their home for the American Red Cross evacuation center at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia. They joined their community neighbors for the almost four-hour bus ride to safety.
“The most important lessons we have learned from previous hurricane evacuations is that safety is most important and leaving early is critical,” said Ron. “I must have electricity for my oxygen machine,” added Lular as she adjusted her nasal cannula. “Red Cross nurses and shelter workers make me feel safe in the middle of all this chaos and I am so grateful for all they have done to help my family and me – they are my angels,” she said, holding the hand of Heidi Bassano, Red Cross volunteer shelter manager, from Atlanta, GA. “She makes me feel safe.”
As residents return home, assess the storm damage and begin cleaning up, Red Cross suggests the following steps for inspecting and cleaning your home:
Anyone with immediate, disaster-caused needs should contact their local Red Cross chapter. Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/georgia.
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.
