ST. LOUIS — Thousands in Florida are bracing for Hurricane Milton, as the powerful hurricane is forecast to make landfall Wednesday night. This comes less than a week after Hurricane Helene devastated the southeast region.
There are 30 volunteers with the American Red Cross, Greater St. Louis region are already stationed in the southeast ready to respond. According to Executive Director Beth Elders, some are helping with the aftermath of Helene and others are bracing for the touchdown of Milton.
"We are just seeing, and I hate to use the term unprecedented, but unprecedented amounts of disaster responses," she said.
While the destruction is heartbreaking, Elders said, this is where the American Red Cross truly shines.
"We're incredibly busy but honored to be able to stand in that space with people when they need it the most," she said. "It's frightening, but you're there to be that calm, non-anxious presence, to be able to be there to provide that comfort and that hope. You have to have that presence, to push down the fears that you may have inside, and to be the presence that people need in that moment."
Emergency supplies are already stationed in Florida, according to Elders, as volunteers arrived five days ago to help staff evacuation shelters and ride out the storm with the locals.
"The last time we have really seen a hurricane that is not only as catastrophic and devastating, but one hurricane upon another one, truly was in 2017 when we saw hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria," she said.
Elders said all of their emergency response vehicles have been deployed, as well.
"Any of the vehicles that we have locally that help provide mobile feeding, transportation of emergency equipment, and more," she said. "For me, right now, in a time that can be seen as very polarizing, to see people come together when it's needed the most, that's what it's all about. This is how we come together as a nation. This is how we come together as a country and as an organization," she said.
The Red Cross is currently looking for volunteers to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. You can learn more about that process here.
Elders said if you are looking to help the Red Cross, financial donations are the best way. You can donate here.