MEDIA RELEASE
More than a dozen local Hawaii Red Cross volunteers have deployed to Texas and are available to move into Louisiana after Hurricane Isaac passes across the Gulf Coast states.
Another 30 volunteers are on standby to deploy to the Gulf Coast to assist in the American Red Cross Isaac relief operation.
Most of the Hawaii volunteers are expected to be assigned to work at emergency shelters.
Across multiple states along the Gulf, the Red Cross has launched a disaster response as Isaac affects millions of lives with strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and coastal surges.
* Tuesday night, nearly 800 people stayed in 52 shelters in 5 states – more shelters were expected to open Wednesday.
* By late Wednesday, damage was estimated at $1.5 billion and is likely to increase.
* About 2,400 trained Red Cross disaster workers from all over the United States have deployed to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas to help.
* Across the Gulf Coast, 187 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are poised to serve meals and distribute relief items once it’s safe to do so.
* Red Cross has pre-positioned 290,000 ready-to-eat meals and several kitchen support trailers into the area.
* The Red Cross has trailers of relief supplies already pre-positioned in the area and have sent thousands of additional supplies like clean up and personal hygiene items, cots, blankets, coolers, shovels, rakes, tarps, gloves and masks.
* Red Cross is working closely with local, state and federal officials and community organizations to coordinate this multi-state relief response. Some of the partners include AmeriCorps, Islamic Relief USA, NAACP and the National Baptist Convention USA. Hawaii residents with family in the path of Isaac should encourage them to stay informed about the storm and leave the area if authorities direct them to do so.
There are also the resources below:
* To find a shelter, download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check local media outlets.
* The Red Cross Safe and Well website is a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies. To register, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1- 800-733-2767). This site also connects with the Twitter and Facebook accounts of users.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Tropical Storm Isaac is predicted to trigger a large and prolonged disaster response with major flooding across several states.
People can call, click or text to donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
They can also send a check to American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816 or call: (808) 739-8109.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.
The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
— Find out more:
www.redcross.org
http://www.hawaiiredcross.org
Leave a Reply