SOUTH CAROLINA, October 24, 2024 — Sunday will mark one month since Hurricane Helene devastated a large swatch of the Southeast, including western and Upstate South Carolina. Today, the American Red Cross and community partners are still operating 12 shelters in the Carolinas for over 400 people in 9 counties including a shelter in South Carolina, while also distributing emergency supplies and conducting damage assessment in the hardest hit areas. 

Since our efforts in South Carolina began, the Red Cross has been coordinating relief services with local emergency management officials and community partners across the state. Together, we had provided nearly 2,000 overnight stays for people seeking refuge after the storm. Also, here in South Carolina with the help of our partners, we have served more than 227,000 meals and snacks to those in need. 

During the last four weeks, over 2,200 disaster trained workers, including over 100 volunteers from South Carolina, have been working tirelessly to deliver on our mission to help alleviate human suffering following Helene and Milton. 

Trained Red Crossers are also on the ground to provide emotional support, spiritual care, mental health services, basic health services and help replacing 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. Red Crossers and community partners have also been providing emergency relief items, including clean up kits, water, and other supplies. To date, the Red Cross has delivered over 12,000 emergency supplies to South Carolina communities. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP People affected by Hurricane Helene need urgent help now, and we can’t do this alone. You can help by making a financial donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word HELENE to 90999. Financial donations for Hurricane Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. 

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

DONATE BLOOD Helene led to the cancellation of blood drives across Western North Carolina for about three weeks, causing nearly 2,000 blood donations to go uncollected. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves.

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.

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