MILWAUKEE -- As Floridians brace for Hurricane Michael, victims of Hurricane Florence are in desperate need of relief. Nearly 100 American Red Cross volunteers from Wisconsin traveled southeast when the storm was at its worst, now more are on the way.
“They don’t have any other place to go, there are often people that don’t have that bank account, they don’t have the family, they can’t turn to anyone else,” Patty Flowers said.
That’s where Flowers, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Wisconsin and other Red Cross volunteers step in. 92 volunteers from Wisconsin were sent southeast weeks ago —many of them have returned home, but now five are going to Florida ahead of Hurricane Michael as Flowers travels to the Carolinas.
“These are people that just really want to help. It’s in their hearts to be a servant leader, and that’s what we do," Flowers said.
Deadly hurricane Florence resulted in epic flooding and strong winds. According to Moody's Analytics, the bulk of the property damage reflects the hurricane’s impact on thousands of single-family homes across the disaster zone. $28.5 billion is the maximum estimate of all flood losses across the zone. Flowers expects to visit the red cross shelters where about 600 people remain —there, she’ll gain a better idea of the help they need.
“It’s that hug. Things are going to be alright tomorrow, and making sure they have that hope,” Flowers said.
Flowers expects to be in the Carolinas for at least a week.
If you want to help the Red Cross with relief efforts you can give money, blood, or volunteer. For more information, click here.
