SOUTH CAROLINA, October 15, 2025 – Three disaster-trained responders from the American Red Cross of South Carolina are helping to support disaster relief operations in Alaska after Typhoon Halong left several coastal villages uninhabitable, forcing the evacuation of as many as 2,000 people to safe shelter in Anchorage, 500 miles from their homes. The Red Cross is working with state, tribal and local officials to support the thousands of people being evacuated to Anchorage, where they will find safe shelter, food, emergency relief supplies, emotional support and health services.  

“I’m going there as a shelter service attendant, I’m going out there to help,” said Rich Jennings, a Red Cross of South Carolina Volunteer from Ladson, SC. Rich recently became a volunteer in July after participating in a local shelter bootcamp. “I would say to anyone just to try volunteering with the Red Cross.”

As another storm bears down on the same communities, air evacuations are beginning today and are expected to continue for several days. This could be a prolonged relief operation lasting months as villages have been left inaccessible or unlivable as winter sets in.

Some areas are only accessible by air or sea, with evacuees being airlifted by helicopter to Bethel, where Red Cross disaster workers will greet them and register them for their next flight to Anchorage. These Red Cross volunteers and partners are preparing to shelter, feed and support those forced out of the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, among others.

The Red Cross of South Carolina stands ready to deploy more disaster-trained workers to help our neighbors in need. 

BECOME A VOLUNTEER The American Red Cross asks you to consider giving the gift of time and help people in need as a volunteer in South Carolina. Depending on your interests, the Red Cross offers a variety of volunteer opportunities — from supporting a family after a fire in their home, helping a member of the military during an emergency, or helping us ensure blood is available for patients who need it. The need to help has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Visit redcross.org/volunteer and get started today.  

To ensure people have the help they need, the Red Cross depends on public support. Please click, text or call to support Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters like floods and countless other crises. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.  

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/SouthCarolina or follow us on social media @RedCrossSC.  

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