Teams of Red Cross disaster workers will be leaving Eastern Pennsylvania over the next couple of days to travel to North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. These disaster workers will be helping to stage relief supplies and equipment ahead of the storm. They will also staff evacuation shelters that will be opening as the storm approaches.
The American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region is also planning to send at least two of its Emergency Response Vehicles south towards the area. Trucks stationed in both Stroudsburg and Wilkes-Barre and are scheduled to leave this week, driven by local Red Cross volunteers. In addition, Monday afternoon a truckload of American Red Cross shelter cots was moved to Baltimore, to be staged closer to areas that look to be significantly impacted by Florence.
These local volunteers will join hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from all over the country on the ground, working to provide safe shelter and comfort to people who could be impacted by this potentially devastating storm. The Red Cross expects to be sending additional workers and resources as needed into the hardest hit areas over the weekend and in the weeks ahead.
“The Eastern Pennsylvania Region of the American Red Cross has dozens of volunteers who are on their way to help. We’re thankful for the dedication of volunteers who are willing to help those in need,” said Dave Skutnik, Director of Communications. “Our local volunteers help on large disasters like Hurricane Florence, but also when smaller disasters like the recent flooding happen in our community.”
While the storm does not look to directly impact Pennsylvania at this time, the Red Cross is continuing to monitor the storm’s progress locally. The Red Cross is leaving additional supplies and resources in the local area to ensure it is ready in case the storm track shifts and affects Eastern Pennsylvania.
September is National Preparedness Month and the Red Cross urges everyone to follow these three steps: 1) build a disaster kit; 2) make an emergency plan; and 3) be informed about how local authorities will notify you, whether through local media or the Red Cross Emergency app, which can be found at redcross.org/apps.
The Red Cross works 24/7/365 to be ready to respond to disaster such as hurricanes. You can help by donating now at redcross.org/, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.