(August 30, 2019) - The American Red Cross is getting ready to respond to potential destruction by Hurricane Dorian on the east coast as the storm continues to grow stronger. Five local Red Cross volunteers are currently on their way or getting ready to leave.
Hurricane Dorian continues to intensify as it heads northwest toward the U.S. mainland. As of Friday morning, it is a Category 2
hurricane but is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 in Florida on Monday night or early Tuesday morning. A key concern is that this is a slow-moving storm that could produce several days of dangerous weather. Residents in Florida and surrounding states, like Georgia and South Carolina, should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and are prepared for severe weather
conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge.
David Langenstrass of Elgin is currently
deployed to Florida to provide comfort to people as a logistics volunteer helping with setting up shelters and organizing meals. He has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for nearly 6 years and this will be about his 16th deployment.
Morrie Bowie of Chicago, is currently deployed to Florida. Morrie has previously deployed to Puerto Rico and to California for wildfires last year. Morrie is a former firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department with assignments all over the area including Cabrini Green.
Three health services volunteers are also being deployed. Health services is made up of healthcare professionals including registered nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, EMTs, paramedics and physicians’ assistants. These volunteers will assist people with
medical needs.
Maria Huffman of Fox Lake has been volunteering
for about 2 years and this will be her 4th deployment.
Ruth Richardson of Tinley Park has been a volunteer
for about 2 years. This is her 4th deployment.
Julie Kersten of Marseilles has been a volunteer since February and this will be her first deployment.
HOW TO HELP Disaster relief involves complex responses and the Red Cross needs the public’s support to help the people affected. You can make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago
& Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. 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 nternational 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 us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.
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