Red Cross Responds to
Hurricane Ian Devastation;
More than 30 local Wisconsin disaster volunteers are deployed to Florida
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Hundreds of trained American Red Cross disaster workers are helping 24-7 across several states to support people facing the massive destruction left behind by Hurricane Ian.
“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Mark Thomas, CEO and Regional Executive for the Red Cross of Wisconsin. “They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
The Red Cross and our partners are responding in areas impacted by Ian, providing food, shelter and comfort. Communities are under water, homes have been swept from their foundations and many have lost everything. Shelters are open in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia for those who need a safe place to stay. Saturday night, more than 3,400 people sought refuge in as many as 39 Red Cross and partner shelters across Florida.
Today, dozens of Red Cross emergency response vehicles are in Florida circulating in some of the hardest hit areas delivering tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals and clean-up supplies where it is safe to do so. We will reach more neighborhoods every day as roads become passable. More than 1,400 trained Red Cross disaster workers are supporting relief efforts in Florida and hundreds more are helping across five other states from Georgia to Virginia. With the help of partners, we have provided more than 41,000 meals and snacks to people in need. Locally more than 30 Wisconsin disaster volunteers are deployed in Florida and more will be deployed in the weeks and months ahead.
Over the last several days, dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled dozens of blood drives with approximately 1,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected. Additional blood drive cancellations are expected in the Southeast over the coming week and fewer donors are likely to come out to donate at drives in and around affected areas due to poor weather conditions. Individuals in unaffected areas—especially those with type O blood types– are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.
HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DONATION We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come. To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
GIVE BLOOD – Please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
VOLUNTEER If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday and get involved today.
