WILMINGTON, NC – The American Red Cross of Michigan sees its fair share of local disasters. Home fires, storms and seasonal flooding keep our staff and volunteers busy. But when national disasters strike, Team Michigan heads the call and our folks get the opportunity to join with other Red Crossers across the country to help those who have been affected.

Hurricane Florence is no exception. The storm made landfall on September 13^th just south Wrightsville Beach, NC. The storm packed a powerful punch powerful enough to uproot trees with her powerful 90+ winds, leaving devastation from New Bern to Wilmington. The slow-moving deluge also inundated the towns of Fayetteville, Lumberton, Smithfield, Durham and Chapel Hill. The massive storm surge dumped enough water to overwhelm the Neuse , , Cape Fear  and Lumber  Rivers, causing them to overflow onto a large number of roads and major highways. Many areas saw record flooding and 30+ inches of rainfall. Florence even caused Wilmington to be entirely cut off from the mainland during the ordeal. 

The Red Cross has been on scene throughout the impacted area from the beginning, with volunteers and staff deploying from across the United States, its territories and Canada, including more than 120 of Michigan volunteers who were sent to area of the hurricane and following the storm’s impact to assist with the much-needed response and recovery efforts.

We could not be more appreciative of the work being conducted on scene; from shelter staffs and teams tasked with checking storm damage and survivors, Red Cross workers are helping folks by delivering clean-up and emergency supplies and our Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are continually carrying meals and first-hand attention to help local residents. These amazing volunteers and employees take time away from the comfort of their homes to let Carolinians know they matter and that they are not alone in their recovery.

With the new threat of Hurricane Michael being assed, the Wilmington area is focusing on recovery efforts. Residents have begun moving out of shelters but hundreds are still displaced. Red Cross caseworkers are busy at area Multi Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) helping out wherever needed. Specifically, our Disaster Mental Health, Health Services and Spiritual Care workers continue to check on the wellbeing of all. Integrated Care Condolence Teams are making calls to visit with families of those who perished from Florence’s powerful storm and our Disaster Assessment Teams continue to map out the devastation and conduct damage assessments.