The local American Red Cross chapter says they are sending at least four volunteers to Florida to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. "Wait, watch, listen. We will be working with local partners who have the capacity to collect and travel", said Michelle Hankes the executive director for the American Red Cross of East Tennessee.
In Alaska, Red Crass staff are making sure those heading south have the appropriate training. "It depends on how bad the storm hits, and how many people go back home", said Denise Van Ness of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The Red Cross needs help at the shelters they've opened across Central Georgia.
The Haiti Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts closely with the Haitian government and planning assessments to capture the full extent of damage and humanitarian need. About 2 million people in Florida, Georgia and SC were told to head for safety, and interstate highways were turned into one-way routes to speed the exodus.
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"I started with Red Cross right after Hurricane Katrina because so many people mass exited up to Memphis", Forrest said.
"It's extremely important to have people out there to help, not only in the recovery process but to help with clean up as well", Hepner-Zawodny told 13abc.
When in Florida, Blum and Waibel will step into action, feeding families, or supplying necessities like blankets and water to those in need. "And we were there for three weeks", Blum said. More than 500 red cross volunteers and approximately 90 ERV's are on standby in affected states. If we had a big disaster here, people would come out of state to come help us.
