Hurricane Michael: Red Cross of Georgia Prepares to Help; Urges People in Storm’s Path to Listen to Local Officials
Atlanta, October 10, 2018 — As the second major hurricane in just weeks is set to hit the Southeast, the American Red Cross of Georgia is working with government and community partners, as well as Red Cross regions in Florida and Alabama to help people in the path of Hurricane Michael. Disaster teams continue to mobilize shelters, volunteers, and relief supplies in advance of the storm.
Michael is predicted to be life-threatening and is expected to make landfall in Florida Wednesday with 140 mph plus winds, devastating flooding and storm surge as high as 12 feet in some places. Hurricane conditions will continue into Georgia as the storm cuts a diagonal path from Bainbridge to Augusta.
“We urge people to take this dangerous hurricane very seriously and make their final storm preparations now,” said Virginia Mewborn, Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation Director for Georgia.
Shelter Information
In the days ahead, shelters will continue to open in areas of need. Georgia residents can find open shelters by calling 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767), visiting redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App available in app stores (search for the American Red Cross) or going to redcross.org/apps
Currently, the following Red Cross shelters are open in Georgia:
· Columbus (Muscogee County)
Shirley Winston Rec Center, 5025 Steam Mill Rd., Columbus GA 31907
· Macon (Bibb County)
South Bibb Rec Center, 7034 Houston Road, Macon GA 31216
The following shelters will open at 6PM today (10-10-18):
· Blythe (Richmond Co.)
Blythe Area Rec Center, 290 Church St., Blythe, GA 30805
· Dublin (Laurens Co.)
Jefferson St. Baptist Church – Gym, 300 N. Franklin, Dublin 31021
The following shelter will open at 6PM tomorrow (10-11-18)
· Douglas (Coffee County)
Central Square Complex, 216 S. Madison Ave., Douglas 31533
NOTE: Pre-storm evacuation centers are meant to safely house people for about 72 hours until the storm passes, and weather conditions improve. Some centers may not have cots, food, running water or electricity. Anyone coming to an evacuation center should bring personal essentials and comfort items like blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and activities for children.
Find a shelter by visiting redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App. The Emergency App also puts real-time information about the storm and hurricane safety tips at your fingertips. The app is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps. Get tips on how to prepare and stay safe at redcross.org/hurricane.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by storms and countless other crises by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word MICHAEL to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.
PLEASE GIVE BLOOD Severe weather events like Michael often force the cancellation of blood drives and decrease donor turnout in affected areas. To meet the needs in these impacted areas and throughout the country, the Red Cross asks individuals to give blood. There is a critical need for blood and platelet donations right now. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 blood donations and 2,500 platelets every day to meet patient needs across the country. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and make available for patients, so even a few days of disruption can impact patient care. The Red Cross encourages organizations to set up blood drives throughout the year so that blood on the shelves can help save lives in an emergency.
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.