LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Southwest Florida is sending teams of volunteers to the Carolinas and Virginia to help people who are getting ready to deal with Hurricane Florence.
The American Red Cross is deploying ten trained volunteers from Fort Myers to help with relief efforts that may be needed after the storm makes landfall.
They're going to set up and make sure they're in place and ready so after the storm hits, they can get supplies out to people as soon as possible.
Nationwide, 700 Red Cross volunteers and disaster workers are being deployed.
They will be in the affected region for two weeks, setting up and operating shelters.
They will also give out emergency supplies and cleanup kits.
Depending on the need and impact, Red Cross will send another round of volunteers in two weeks.
A Fort Myers volunteer says after he witnessed the devastation Hurricane Irma left in Florida, he wants to do whatever he can to help other victims.
Ryabo Frank says if people up North can help us through that tough time, we can return the favor.
"They came down to help us,” Frank said. “Now it's our turn to help them.”
The Salvation Army already has volunteers with meals and supplies on the way.
They will get to the Carolinas Wednesday night.
First, they will help take care of people affected by the storm and the first responders on duty by getting them food and water.
Once the storm hits, they move onto the next phase.
They will also help provide household items, clothing, and other necessities if needed.
Then, phase three is recovery.
They say they're prepared for any national disaster.
“Depending on the location, we could help with some sheltering,” said Timothy Gilliam, Salvation Army Major. “We are really prepared to be flexible and we will fit in wherever the need is.”
You can help those affected by Hurricane Florence by donating to the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
You can text the word “Florence to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to make a donation.
