By: Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director

Millions of people in New England are under hurricane and tropical storm warnings today as Hurricane Lee moves north off the Atlantic coast. The American Red Cross has prepositioned disaster teams and supplies throughout the area and stands ready to meet immediate disaster needs after the storm.

Red Cross President of Humanitarian Services Trevor Riggen joined Governor Janet Mills at the state Emergency Operations Center in Augusta to discuss the storm – and how the Red Cross is prepared to serve impacted communities. 

"We are here – and we are ready," remarked Riggen, a Mainer himself, who lives in an area of the state slated to see the most severe impacts from Hurricane Lee. 

"As someone who lives in Downeast, who lives along a coastline that can be very vulnerable to storms, we have to be ready. Although it is rare for us to get a storm like this, the danger is there," Riggen continued.

Coastal flooding and tropical storm conditions are expected to begin Friday afternoon in southern New England and spread northward over the next 24 hours. 

"Although its track has been unpredictable, what we do know is that there is high risk. High risk for storm surge in vulnerable communities; high risk that coastal communities will have extended power outages. So we've had people on the ground for the last several days ready to make a difference, ready to open shelters and ready to help families post-impact to make sure their needs are met." 

Dozens of volunteers from across the country have deployed to Northern New England, eager to provide care and comfort to those impacted by this storm. For some, this is their first deployment. For others, they've seen more disasters than they can count. Their roles are as varied as their backgrounds, from sheltering and mass care to operations, logistics and government relations. 

"I'm a registered nurse and have been one for 46 years," said Laura Kling, a long-time Red Cross volunteer who travelled from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Portland earlier this week. "I'm happily retired now, so I am available to help when things like this come up. We [nurses] bring that special piece of compassion and clinical expertise to help people through difficult times." 

"I've been with the Red Cross for 30 whole days," said Cheryl Deines, of Peoria, Arizona. She was inspired to join the Red Cross after seeing the organization's response to the devastating wildfires in Maui.

"The best reward is helping other people and that's what the Red Cross is about," she said.

Deines is part of one of the 25 shelter teams ready to provide safe haven if the need arises. We also have 40 Red Cross emergency response vehicles at the ready to support a large relief response.

If an emergency threatens your neighborhood, be prepared to evacuate quickly and leave the area if local officials tell you to do so.

Here are some tips:

• Have your disaster kit ready. Review your emergency plan with everyone in your household.
• Plan your evacuation route and alternates in case main roads are impassable. Where will you go and how will you get there? Will you go to a hotel, a friend or relative’s home, or an emergency center/shelter?
• Don’t forget your pets. If you must evacuate, make arrangements for your animals. Keep a list of pet friendly hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes. 
• After evacuating, don’t return home until officials say it is safe to do so.