CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – -As the Southeast deals with more damage from Hurricane Milton this week, the American Red Cross is working tirelessly in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies and comfort to those coping with the destruction left behind by Milton and Hurricane Helene.
Currently, the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas Region has 96 disaster responders from Missouri and Arkansas deployed. Of those, 77 are from Missouri and 19 are from Arkansas. The responders are in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas Chapter has sent 4 people to support the responses of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.
The disaster responders are working together with hundreds of other Red Crossers and our partners to provide safe shelter, food, and relief items to those affected. Over 560,000 meals and snacks, and some 32,000 relief items like cleaning and hygiene items for thousands of families have been provided to those affected by Helene.
In advance of Milton, Red Cross deployed tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals, cots, blankets and other relief supplies to Florida. We also shipped hundreds of blood products to support hospitals in Florida and ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood. As conditions improve, dozens of emergency response vehicles will begin to travel through affected neighborhoods, delivering meals and relief supplies to those affected by Milton.
How to help
People affected by the hurricanes need help now! There are three ways you can help:
- Donate Financially- Make a financial donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting HURRICANES to 90999.
- Volunteer- Sign up to become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment.
- Give Blood- Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting redcrossblood.org or using our blood donor app.
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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.