SOUTH CAROLINA, September 21, 2022 – Two disaster-trained volunteers from the South Carolina Region of the American Red Cross are deploying to support disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Fiona caused disastrous flooding, landslides and left the entire island without power. The American Red Cross is working with officials to determine what assistance is needed and will help with damage assessment when it is safe to do so. 

Two local volunteers from the Upstate SC Chapter, Dori Baumwart and Julienne Correa, are in the ground to Puerto Rico. Baumwart is leading a Disaster Spiritual Care team and will serve as a comforting presence in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Correa, a Spanish-speaking volunteer, will assist with the Government Operations function. The American Red Cross of South Carolina stands ready to send additional disaster volunteers as requested.  

DISASTER RESPONSE UPDATE: Conditions in Puerto Rico remain dire days after Hurricane Fiona devastated the island. Homes and important infrastructure are destroyed, more than a million customers remain without power and two-thirds of the island have no water service. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency and rescues are ongoing with first responders using heavy equipment in some areas to lift people to safety.

In Puerto Rico, the government opens and manages emergency shelters and more than 1,000 people spent Tuesday night in dozens of shelters powered by solar sources made possible by a Red Cross contribution of nearly $1.5 million after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017. Red Cross and partners delivered solar power to 160 schools at that time, many of them serving as emergency shelters today.

The Red Cross is working closely with the local government to provide support where needed. Some areas are still inaccessible due to mudslides and damaged roads and bridges, but more than 190 trained Red Cross volunteers are helping assess the damage and delivering emergency supplies to shelters where possible.

Red Crossers are ready to provide health and mental health services virtually with additional support when conditions allow. Once damage is assessed, the Red Cross may be able to provide additional resources through recovery casework. Many of these Red Cross workers are helping despite having no power or water themselves.

FIVE YEARS AFTER HURRICANE MARIA Five years ago this week, Hurricane Maria devastated much of Puerto Rico and left mass destruction across the island. The American Red Cross offered immediate assistance and stayed for several years, helping build resilience on the island so people could be better ready for emergencies. 

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, floods and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC 

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