Additional Threats Loom as Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Continue to Surge

Oct 9

INFORMATION UPDATE:

October 7, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET

As the 2024 hurricane season continues to unfold, early predictions suggested an active year due to favorable oceanic conditions and atmospheric patterns. Forecasters anticipated multiple storms, potentially leading to significant impacts along the U.S. coastlines. NOAA forecast a range of 17 to 25 total named storms, of which 8 to 13 were forecast to become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes (category 3+).

While we have moved past the traditional “peak” of hurricane season – September 10 –Hurricane Helene shows how important it is to remain vigilant throughout the entirety of hurricane season. There are still two months to go in the Atlantic Hurricane Season and with the above average forecast from earlier this year, it’s likely that more storms are on the horizon.

This morning, Hurricane Milton intensified to a massive Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. Landfall is anticipated on the already storm-ravaged west coast of Florida on Wednesday, bringing up to 10 inches of rain in some areas still saturated by three previous hurricanes this season alone.

Red Cross teams already on the ground in response to Hurricane Helene last week – which made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a dangerous Category 4 storm – and will relocate headquarters in anticipation of Milton to ensure the safety of our volunteer workforce and individuals in our care in shelter locations along the west coast. Relief supplies and close to 100 additional volunteer responders are being positioned around Tampa Bay to address any immediate needs upon landfall.

Already, more than 40 emergency shelter requests have been sent to the American Red Cross. These requests will be fulfilled, where possible, with ongoing communications with state, county and emergency management partners. Preparedness messaging and safety tips have been distributed to all Community Adaptation Partners, hyperlocal community partners.

The American Red Cross is working around the clock with dozens of partners to continue supporting families upended by Helene, while also preparing for Hurricane Milton

“I thought I was going to die the night of the hurricane,” says Kirk Herschell. “I really did.”

Kirk recounts his experience from the Hudson, Florida, Red Cross shelter where he found refuge from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

“I was sleeping in a chair outside my house after the hurricane had passed through,” he says, “and I felt the water lapping up my legs.”

“The water from the storm surge came in so quickly, and soon everything was flooded. I saw my neighbor float past on a blow-up mattress. Everything at my house is ruined, it’s all gone.”

Kirk arrived at the Red Cross emergency shelter in Hudson, Florida, the next morning.

“Everything you see me wearing was donated to me,” he says. “I have nothing.”

“The Red Cross people here have taken care of me the best,” he says. “They’ve given me everything I need right now, a place to sleep, food to eat. We’re here, and we’re alive — and we’re going to be okay.”

Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

Hurricane Helene

Less than two weeks after landfall, some 250,000 customers are still without power after Hurricane Helene caused devastating impacts across nearly a dozen states. Lack of power, compounded with the communication infrastructure that was destroyed during the storm, has led to thousands of requests to the Red Cross to assist with reunification efforts. More than 200 Red Cross reunification staff are working to reconnect loved ones despite connectivity challenges. We've received some 7,000 requests for help and that number continues to grow as hundreds are still reported missing.

· If you're searching for a family member affected by the storm, please complete the form at this link for the state where they live: https://rdcrss.org/3TQPblL.

o Please provide as much detail as you can — the more you provide, the better we can assist.

o Red Cross Reunification teams are working as quickly as possible to help families reconnect with their loved ones after Hurricane Helene.

To support those affected by Hurricane Helene, some 2,100 Red Cross responders are working around the clock with dozens of partners to get help to people as quickly as possible. Helene’s destruction covers a huge area and it’s taking time to navigate damaged roads and reach communities that are cut off. However, across the 10 disaster relief operations, the Red Cross and our partners have provided:

· Over 33,800 overnight shelter stays in 227 emergency shelters.

· Nearly 435,000 meals and snacks to people in need in shelters and along mobile feeding routes

o In some of the hardest-hit areas that are accessible, nearly 100 Red Cross emergency response vehicles have distributed meals, water and critical relief supplies.

· Almost 24,000 emergency relief supplies, including clean-up kits, to more than 5,600 households.

In the Carolinas, special outreach workforces are canvassing hard-hit mountain communities – many accessible only by foot – still without connectivity to identify immediate needs. With this information, Red Cross responders and partners can better allocate resources based on the scope of these needs.

· The primary focus continues to be on providing safe shelter and nourishing meals to individuals displaced by the storm and unable to cook – or even grocery shop – for themselves due to damage or destroyed homes, lack of power, or empty grocery store shelves.

· Nine mobile kitchen and community feeding locations will serve warm meals and shelf-stable snacks along 42 community routes.

· In addition, 24 shelter locations in North Carolina and South Carolina serve as centralized community centers. Here, families are able to access information on available resources, connect with health and mental health caseworkers, charge their devices, find meals and snacks for their families, and much more.

· Last night, more than 800 individuals sought refuge overnight in a Red Cross or partner shelter across the Carolinas. Sadly, we anticipate many of these individuals will need emergency shelter for months to come. Specialized resource teams are working with each of these shelter locations to identify and fulfill hospitality and comfort requests.

In Georgia, while additional impacts from Hurricane Milton are anticipated, more than 300 individuals were still in one of eight Red Cross or partner shelters last night. There are evacuation and emergency sheltering plans in place, if necessary.

· Coffee County remains a high priority community, where large portions of the population are still without power.

· In addition to active shelters, 10 evacuation centers have been identified for pre-landfall safe spaces. Red Crossers are working to fulfill requests ahead of Milton’s landfall.

Tennessee relief efforts are stabilizing, as power is mostly restored across the impacted region. With two shelters remaining open as of this afternoon to support Johnson and Carter county families, mobile feeding routes begin to close as communities are able to return home. Emergency relief supply distribution routes will continue through the week to support communities that are still inaccessible. Through Multi-Agency Resource Centers, storm survivors can access a variety of disaster relief resources to support their path to recovery.

The National Hurricane Center warns of life-threatening storm surge (up to 12 feet) and more than 10 inches of rainfall along some parts of Florida’s west coast. Hurricane Milton is now a strong Category 5 storm and mandatory evacuation orders are in affect for a number of Florida’s coastal communities.

Photo by NOAA

As the climate crisis continues to worsen, it’s become increasingly common for the Red Cross to respond to multiple large disasters simultaneously – while also preparing for the next catastrophic impact.

If you are in an impacted community, please continue to follow all local public safety notices.

You can also:

1. Get Prepared. If you or your loved ones are in immediate danger from Hurricane Milton, which is forecasted to make landfall in Tampa, Florida, later this week, please check out this Hurricane Safety Page to learn how to keep your home and family safe during a hurricane, and download the Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (available in multiple languages in the middle of this page).

2. Get Help. If you are in immediate need of help, please contact your local Red Cross, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), find an open shelter or download the free Emergency app (available in English and Spanish). If you are unable to locate or connect with a loved one or friend who may have been impacted by Hurricane Helene, Red Cross Reunification Teams may be able to help.

3. Volunteer. Volunteers carry out 90% of the work of the Red Cross. They are always looking for more trained volunteers to help with sheltering, health services and other urgent needs. Learn more about their most needed positions and sign up by visiting redcross.org/volunteertoday.

4. Give Blood. Red Cross blood drives in affected communities may be canceled or experience lower donor turnout in the coming days, which can strain blood inventory levels. Through its national inventory system, the Red Cross has the ability to move blood around the country to wherever and whenever it is needed most. Those in areas unaffected by storms and floods are urged to make an appointment today to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to help ensure blood products are available for patients wherever the need arises. Schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Hurricane season is far from over, and the Red Cross remains focused on supporting those in need.