The hurricane one-two punch.  Over 60 Red Crossers from the Cascades Region are deployed across 5 states and have been here since Hurricane Helene made landfall two weeks ago,  Now, Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida.  What people may not realize as we get ready for Hurricane Milton, is that the Red Cross is are still doing a lot of work in Georgia, the Carolinas and where I am now, in Tennessee.  I’m writing stories and sharing about the work we are doing on the ground from sheltering, casework, and damage assessment.  

We are also going out in the hard-hit areas and dropping pins to determine a map of the damage.  It is heartbreaking and hard to get your head around when you see the destruction.  Some people have lost everything. Even after all these days, they still seem stunned.

As I write this, I don’t know what Milton will bring, but it looks bad.  Close to 800 Red Crossers in Florida waiting to respond, but the rest of us (some 2,000 in all) will continue the recovery work in the areas we are assigned.  In other words, we are not leaving the job.   These people need our help, and we will be here as long as needed.  

If you can help, please consider a financial donation at RedCross.org, call 1-800-Red Cross or text “Helene” at 90999.   

Thank you, Rebecca Marshall, Communications Director Red Cross Cascades Region.