ATLANTA October 11, 2024 — The American Red Cross is working nonstop alongside our partners to support people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton. As Floridians struggle with the new damage from Milton, the Red Cross is working tirelessly in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies and comfort to those still coping with the unimaginable destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene. The Red Cross has been helping people since this onslaught of devastating weather began and will be supporting people in the weeks and months to come.

“We are two weeks into providing shelter, meals, water and hope to communities across Georgia,” said Alicia Doherty, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “Thank you to our volunteers, partners and staff for working together to ensure we are meeting the immediate needs of those impacted by the storm.”

RED CROSS RESPONSE Today, nearly 2,000 Red Crossers are supporting Milton and Helene relief efforts across the impacted areas, including more than 320 disaster workers assigned in Georgia.

Since our efforts in Georgia began, the Red Cross has been coordinating relief services with local officials and community partners across the state. Together, we have opened shelters throughout Georgia and provided over 5,900 overnight stays for people displaced by Hurricane Helene or seeking refuge from Hurricane Milton. Also, here in Georgia with the help of our partners, we have served more than 350,000 meals and snacks to those in need. So far, over 15,800 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies have been provided to people across the state. Red Crossers are also providing emotional support, basic health services and helping to replace items such as eyeglasses and prescription medications.

Affected communities are facing different struggles, and the timeline for recovery and what support they need will be different. While the current focus is on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP People need urgent support now, and we can’t do this alone. Please help by making a financial donation, an appointment to give blood or platelets, or signing up to become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Financial donations to help people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. You can also text the word HURRICANES to 90999 to make a donation.

If you would like to volunteer with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.