Red Cross Continues To Help NC Residents Following Hurricane Florence

José and his seven-year-old daughter Valeria collected hot dinners for their family Tuesday outside of their home in Red Springs, North Carolina. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

Two weeks after landfall, flooding continues in the Carolinas and the American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide shelter, food, comfort and other emergency support to victims of Hurricane Florence.

Wednesday night, more than 1,400 people stayed in 21 Red Cross and community shelters in Eastern North Carolina. On Wednesday, the Red Cross served more than 51,000 meals and snacks; and distributed 2,901 clean-up kits.

“The Red Cross will be here for our community until everyone affected is on the path to recovery,” said Barry Porter, regional CEO of the Red Cross of Eastern NC. “We are grateful for the thousands of volunteers who have come to our state to help our local volunteers deliver hope and relief to our neighbors in need.”

This family is still staying in Red Cross shelters two weeks after the hurricane hit their home in Fayetteville. They thanked the Red Cross for helping them in this time of need. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

As many shelter residents begin returning home, some may find their homes unsafe. The Red Cross encourages any displaced residents to go to a Red Cross shelter. To find shelter locations visit www.redcross.org/shelter. The Red Cross works with government and community partners to provide resources for those affected by disasters..

GIVE BLOOD
Hundreds of blood drives have been forced to cancel due to Hurricane Florence, resulting in over 6,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. Donors of all blood types are needed to recover donations canceled by the storm. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Red Cross has launched a massive response to this disaster and depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.