Red Cross Disaster Volunteers Deploying for Hurricane Michael

Updated Information: Monday, October 22, 2018, 1 P.M.

 

 

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Updated Information: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 1 P.M.

Hurricane Michael left a vast path of destruction behind, resulting in thousands of people living in dismal conditions. The American Red Cross is in Florida, Georgia and Alabama providing safe shelter, food and water and comfort.

Home after home is destroyed and many people have lost everything. Monday night, more than 1,600 people stayed in as many as 21 Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

There are 36 disaster responders from the Colorado and Wyoming Region on the ground supporting relief efforts associated with Hurricane Michael. There are 15 responders also working to support recovery from Hurricane Florence.

More than 1,280 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground to support Hurricane Matthew relief efforts across three states. Hundreds more are being mobilized now. Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 195,100 meals and snacks. Volunteer mental health and health services professionals have provided some 2,900 contacts to provide support and care to evacuees.

We’ve also distributed more than 4,700 relief items like clean up kits, rakes, shovels, bleach, garbage bags and much more to help with the massive clean-up effort.

A Shelter Story

Red Cross Supported Evacuation Shelter at Bozeman High School, Panama City, Florida. Richard Berndt and his daughter Rebecca Ando, residents of the Panama City area, share their experiences of living for the past three days in an evacuation shelter with American Red Cross volunteer Bob Wallace. When reports came that Hurricane Michael had winds up to 130 miles per hour as it approached the Florida Panhandle, Richard and Rebecca decided they had better head to safety. “The Red Cross crew [in the shelter] has taken care of anything that need to be done,” said Rebecca “They just find a way to do it, and lots of people here need medical attention.” She went on to say that the experience of living in the shelter makes her want to become a Red Cross volunteer. Richard noted that the first day the shelter residents were sort of standoffish. But after the first night, people started pitching in and helping out. “We’ve made friends here,” said Richard.

HOW YOU CAN HELP This is the second massive hurricane response in the United States in less than a month. Thousands of people are looking to the Red Cross for help, and the organization depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Michael by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word MICHAEL to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Michael relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS.

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Updated Information as of Friday, October 12, 2018, 1:30 PM

Red Cross disaster responders from the Colorado & Wyoming Region continue to deploy to help with the Hurricane Michael response. As of Noon, Friday, 10/12/18, there were 30 responders either in the disaster area or heading to the disaster area. Their services will be desperately needed over the coming days and weeks.

Totals disaster responders deployed by Chapter:

Mile High Area – 11

Southeastern Colorado – 11

Western Colorado – 5

Wyoming – 2

Most of the responders are in Florida (20) with 1 in Alabama and 9 in Georgia.

As the ability to access areas impacted by the fury of Hurricane Michael grows, the extent of the destruction the storm left behind is becoming more and more apparent. The American Red Cross is on the ground, providing food, shelter, health services and comfort to thousands of people across the region.

In some areas, entire blocks of homes are destroyed. Storm damage can be seen throughout the region with homes, schools, medical facilities and businesses all victims of the storm’s fury. More than a million people are without power, roads are closed and travel is impacted.

 The Red Cross is making every effort to get help where it’s needed. Working with partners around the clock, the Red Cross is moving volunteers and supplies, and supporting dozens of shelters where people can find comfort and refuge.

• Thursday night, almost 2,900 people stayed in as many as 37 Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida, Georgia and Alabama. In many areas these evacuation centers are transitioning into emergency shelters which are being resourced to help people in the days ahead.
• The Red Cross has served 30,000 snacks and is working with partners to start serving tens of thousands of hot meals each day.
• The Red Cross has mobilized more than 1,000 trained disaster workers to support relief efforts across three states. More volunteers, relief supplies, vehicles are being mobilized now and on their way to the affected areas.
• Since October 9, more than 4.8 million weather alerts have been issued through Red Cross apps allowing people to make informed and lifesaving decisions.
• As a non-government agency, the Red Cross is coordinating closely with government and nonprofit partners to provide aid. It will take a large variety of organizations to help families and communities recover.

Since October 9, more than 4.8 million weather alerts have been issued through Red Cross apps allowing people to make informed and lifesaving decisions.

• If you need
• to find a shelter, visit here.
• Find out h
  ow to stay safe at redcross.org/hurricane.
• If you are without power, find out what you should do here.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to have real-time information about the weather, shelter locations, as well how to stay safe during and after a hurricane and flood. The Emergency App is in English and Spanish and is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

RECONNECTING WITH LOVED ONES Due to issues with communication lines throughout Florida’s Panhandle, there has been an increase in the number of calls for individuals missing, well-being checks, and concerns. The state has established a webpage for individuals to report these concerns. The State EOC will route these inquiries to the appropriate local agency for response. Go to Hurricane Michael Life Safety Reports.

• The Red Cross has two easy ways to help you reconnect with loved ones.
  • The Red Cross Emergency App features an “I’m Safe” button that allows users to post a message to their social accounts, letting friends and family know they are out of harm’s way.
  • The Red Cross also offers the Safe and Well website, a secure option that allows people to list their own status and allows friends and family to search for messages from their loved ones. To register yourself or search for a loved oneon the Safe and Well website, visit  redcross.org/safeandwell. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to be connected with your local chapter.

HURRICANE FLORENCE 

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is still on the ground in the Carolinas, helping people impacted by Hurricane Florence. The Red Cross and other organizations have already provided more than 124,600 overnight stays in emergency shelters.

Working with partners, the Red Cross has served more than 1.55 million meals and snacks and

distributed more than 312,700 relief items like clean up kits, rakes, shovels, bleach, garbage bags and much more to help with the massive clean-up effort.

HOW YOU CAN HELP This is the second massive hurricane response in the United States in less than a month. Thousands of people are looking to the Red Cross for help, and the organization depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Michael by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word MICHAEL to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.

The Red Cross honors donor intent. Donors can designate their donation to Hurricane Michael relief efforts by choosing that option when donating on redcross.org or on 1-800-RED CROSS.

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Updated Information: Hurricane Michael Response: 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 11, 2018

As of Noon, Thursday, October 11, 2018 there were 22 Red Cross disaster responders assigned to Hurricane Michael response from the Colorado & Wyoming Region. Of those, 14 were in Florida, 1 in Alabama and 7 in Georgia. More deployments are expected over the coming days.  Meanwhile, 20 disaster responders from Colorado & Wyoming Region are still deployed for Hurricane Florence response. Many of those will be asked to stay on deployment to help with the Hurricane Michael response.

Hurricane Michael has caused untold devastation along the Gulf Coast, and the American Red Cross is helping those newly impacted by this storm, even as relief operations continue for those affected by Hurricane Florence.

• On October 10, Hurricane Michael made a Category 4 landfall as the third strongest hurricane in U.S. history. It was also the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. in 50 years.
• Michael brought 140 mph winds, up to a foot of rain and a storm surge as high as 13 feet to some areas of Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
• Officials are predicting prolonged power outages.
• The storm is forecast to drop heavy rain later this week in the Carolinas where people are still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
• More than 375,000 people are under evacuation orders and many schools and colleges, along with airports and ports, are closed.

  The American Red Cross is partnering with the National Guard to move supplies to those in need.

The American Red Cross is on the ground along the Gulf Coast to provide safe shelter and support for evacuees as Hurricane Michael continues to quickly barrel through the Southeast.

• Wednesday night, approximately 7,800 people stayed in as many as 95 American Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
• There are more than 800 trained disaster workers on their way or already in the region supporting relief efforts.
• The Red Cross pre-positioned enough shelter supplies, including cots and blankets, to be able to support some 15,000 people after landfall and is also mobilizing additional relief supplies, vehicles and other equipment to help people in the affected areas, as needed.
• We’re also working with partners to prepare for serving tens of thousands of meals per day once the storm passes.
• Since October 9, more than 4.6 million weather alerts have been issued through Red Cross apps allowing people to make informed and lifesaving decisions.
  How can you Help?
• Help people affected by Hurricane Michael. Donate at redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Text MICHAEL to 90999 to donate $10.

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Updated Information: Hurricane Michael Response: 2:40 P.M. Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Millions of people are in the path of Hurricane Michael as the unprecedented storm hits the Gulf Coast today with life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall and deadly storm surge.

• Hurricane Michael has now made landfall.
• Officials are calling Hurricane Michael the worst storm that’s threatened the Florida Panhandle in a century. Michael is bringing 150 mph winds, up to a foot of rain and a storm surge as high as 13 feet to some areas of Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Tornadoes are also predicted.
• Officials are predicting prolonged power outages.
• The storm’s winds will feel similar to an EF-1 and EF-2 tornado.
• More than 375,000 people are under evacuation orders and many schools and colleges are closed along with airports and ports.
• The sto
  

  Red Cross shelter locations for Hurricane Michael. Visit redcross.org/gethelp for the locations of open shelters.

  rm is also forecast to drop heavy rain later this week in the Carolinas where people are still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

The American Red Cross is on the ground along the Gulf Coast to provide safe shelter and support for evacuees as Hurricane Michael comes ashore. Tuesday night, approximately 4,000 people stayed in nearly 70 American Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

• There are more than 500 trained disaster workers on their way to the region to join the Red Cross volunteers already in place in the three states.
• The Red Cross has pre-positioned enough shelter supplies, including cots and blankets, to be able to support some 15,000 people after landfall and is also mobilizing additional relief supplies, vehicles and other equipment to help people in the affected areas if needed.
• We’re also working with partners to prepare for serving tens of thousands of meals per day once the storm passes.
• Since October 9, more than 3.6 million weather alerts have been issued through Red Cross apps allowing people to make informed and lifesaving decisions.As of 2 PM two additional volunteers have been scheduled for deployment, 1 from the Southeastern Colorado Chapter and 1 from the Mile High Chapter. That is in addition to those listed in the message below posted 10/9/18.
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Denver, Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming is sending disaster volunteers to the Gulf Coast in anticipation of Hurricane Michael that is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon as a category 3 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

All deployments for Hurricane Matthew left today and have been sent to inland locations. They will be taken to their duty assignments as soon as it is safe to travel after landfall. The Red Cross makes sure that its volunteers are in safe locations.

A typical Red Cross disaster deployment is from 14 to 21 days and many of those responding from the Colorado and Wyoming Region deployed to the response for Hurricane Florence.

As of 5 PM Tuesday, there are 10 Red Cross volunteers assigned to the Hurricane Michael Response.

Mile High Chapter (Denver area) – 5 volunteers have been deployed

Southeastern Colorado – 2 volunteers have been deployed

Western Colorado – 1 volunteer has been deployed

Wyoming – 2 volunteers have been deployed.

A typical deployment for a disaster worker is 14 to 21 days depending on the needs of the people affected by the disaster. Additional storms are forecast to affect the Carribbean and Gulf Coast regions over the next weeks.

To see the latest news about how the Red Cross is responding to Hurricane Michael and to learn how you can help people affected by disasters visit www.redcross.org. Follow the Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming on Twitter: @COWYRedCross and follow our blog at COWYRedCrossBlog.org.