CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Residents of Florida are now starting to learn the full impact of Hurricane Ian which made landfall Wednesday as a Category 4 storm. Now that the winds have died down and the storm surge has started to recede in Florida, the full magnitude has left many reeling.
The Red Cross was on the ground even before the storm to provide shelters to ride out the high winds and rain. The agency will continue to provide relief to victims who have incurred devastating losses. The Central Appalachian Chapter of the American Red Cross which makes up areas in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky pre-positioned nine volunteers in the hurricane zone and are poised to send many more as they are needed in the days ahead.
“They will be working in sheltering, feeding, distributing cleaning supplies and working in those communities on recovery efforts,” said Krista Farley with the Central Appalachian Chapter.
The region has four emergency response trucks which are mobile feeding units. Farley said all four are ready to be dispatched to Florida with their two man volunteer crews.
As devastating as Ian’s impact was on Florida, it may not be done. The remnants of the storm crossed back over to the Atlantic and will come ashore again tonight through the Carolinas, Virginia, and eventually are expected to dump heavy rains in parts of West Virginia as well. Farley said if the storms strike here at home, they’re ready.
“We’re already ready to respond and open shelters and to be available whenever the community needs us. If we would potentially have any severe weather here, as always the Red Cross is ready to support those families impacted,” she said.
Those wishing to donate can do so at RedCross.org and make a monetary donation earmarked for the specific disaster or can find a place to donate blood to help in the disaster area.