Local Red Cross Responds to Hurricane Sandy

The American Red Cross is responding across multiple states as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast. As of Tuesday morning, at least 14 people are confirmed dead.

Volunteers from the Western Carolinas—12 thus far—have gone to the North Carolina coast, New York, the Delaware/Maryland area, and New Jersey. The Greenville Emergency Response Vehicle and two crew members left Monday at 4 p.m. from the 940 Grove Road office in Greenville. 

The large and powerful storm could affect as many as 60 million people in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast before its over, and the Red Cross has workers and relief supplies in place to provide help to people in the path of Sandy. 

The effects of the storm are already being felt with hundreds of people spending this past Sunday night in Red Cross shelters from North Carolina to New York/New Jersey. Red Cross workers are preparing to open and support more shelters as the storm progresses. 

Almost 100 Red Cross emergency vehicles have mobilized to distribute meals and relief supplies after the storm passes. Thousands of ready-to-eat meals and relief supplies such as cots and blankets are also being sent into the region. 

“This storm is dangerous and it’s critical to follow the advice of local emergency officials. If people are told to evacuate, they need to do it,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “The Red Cross has shelters open and will be opening more throughout the day. Hundreds of disaster workers are ready with relief supplies and emergency vehicles in place to help.” 

“Though the hurricane has passed the Carolinas, severe winter weather is our concern,” said Brian Scoles of the Western Carolinas Red Cross. “People need to prepare now as temperatures have dropped and snow is beginning to fall. In the past 24-hours over 5,000 Western Carolinas residents have gone without power mostly due to high-winds.  If you add heavy, wet snow into the mix of winter weather, the numbers could increase significantly.

HOW TO HELP

“This will be a large, costly relief response and we need help now,” said Tom Giffin, Chief Fundraising Officer for the Red Cross in the Western Carolinas. “People can help by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief online, by text or by phone.”

Donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

GIVE BLOOD

The storm has already caused the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in the region, and more cancellations are expected. This has resulted in the loss of several hundred units of blood and platelets so far. The Red Cross has shipped blood products to hospitals in the affected area in advance of the storm as patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather. 

If anyone is eligible, especially in places not affected by the storm, they are asked to please schedule a blood donation now.

To schedule a blood donation or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To give blood, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements, and be in general good health. 

Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them.