Red Cross to send Ky. team to hurricane areas

One local Red Cross volunteer is headed for the East Coast as Hurricane Matthew threatens millions of residents.

More than 2,100 spent the night in Red Cross shelters around the state and untold thousands more in other facilities supported by Red Cross with foods, supplies, blankets and cots.

Nathan said it’s a bit scary to send volunteers down to a disaster zone – or a potential one.

“We’re staging for a long term effect with sheltering and helping the people to get back on their feet and get back into their houses”, said Boston.

Nanci Conley, executive director of the American Red Cross, Eastern South Carolina Chapter, said the organization has been preparing for a hurricane for months. The vehicles will be stocked with meals and bulked goods that the volunteers will distribute to the family.

“Once you’ve experienced it, you believe in the mission”, McVicker said.

She said that because of Hurricane Matthew, many people have been calling the American Red Cross here in Western Mass and asking how they can help. More than 100 were enlisted statewide in the past 24 hours, Carbone said. It’s heading for Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas now.

Two had been slated to fly into Orlando, but at least one of those had been diverted to another airport as the state girded itself for the arrival of the risky storm.

“Whatever they can do to make the people comfortable while they’re there, the Red Cross will try its best to do”, said Garyson.

There will be two response vehicles loaded with food and water leaving from the Red Cross at 9 a.m. This is not the first disaster response for the Van Ness’.

For many it’s a call they knew they had to answer.

Meantime, Red Cross disaster workers continue to offer help and hope in north and eastern Iowa as the flood recovery continues. “Because what we’ve seen in the past, is that people have been so thankful”. Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.