Rome, GA, September 14, 2018 - While Hurricane Florence continues to bare down on the Carolina coast, local Red Cross volunteers are being deployed to provide disaster services to those ravaged by the storm.

Friday morning, Bob Townley of Armuchee and Fred Corey of Blue Ridge are the first from Northwest Georgia to be sent to assist those caught in the storm’s wake.

“We will join other volunteers in Macon to learn where we will be sent from there,” Townley said.

Townley and Corey are driving down the Red Cross’ Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) stationed in Rome. The ERV can be used by disaster services to distribute supplies or to provide meals to those who find themselves in need after the effects of disaster.

“These vehicles are designed to be useful in any number of circumstances,” Corey stated.

The Northwest Georgia volunteers are being sent to Macon where they will join other Red Cross workers who will be lending assistance to those picking up the pieces left in the aftermath of this terrible storm. 

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

• Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
• The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Florence relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS.
• The best way to ensure your donation will go to a specific disaster is to write the specific disaster name in the memo line of a check. We also recommend completing and mailing the donation form on redcross.org with your check.
• Checks can be mailed to: American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia, 112 John Maddox Drive NW, Rome, GA 30165.

Eligible donors in unaffected areas are also urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets to help maintain the nation’s blood supply which is likely to be relied upon for storm victims. There is a critical need for platelet and type O blood donations.