Hurricane Ian—along with recent wildfires in the west and storms in Puerto Rico and Alaska—is a clear example of the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters. As they always have, Red Cross volunteers have raised their hands and shown up to help residents impacted by these disasters.
As of Thursday morning, 26 volunteers from Iowa are supporting the American Red Cross response to Hurricane Ian. These trained disaster workers are providing care and comfort to families and individuals who are picking up the pieces.
Hurricane Ian was the sixth major hurricane to hit the U.S. in the last six years. During 2020 and 2021 alone, the Red Cross averaged a new, major disaster response every 10 days with volunteers continuously on the ground, setting up shelters, arranging for hot meals and addressing the needs of thousands with no place to go.
Ninety percent of the Red Cross workforce is volunteers. Now more than ever, volunteers are needed. Those interested in making a difference at home or across the country can visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn how to become a volunteer. There are opportunities to help locally or deploy to large disasters in other parts of the country. A variety of positions are available, and the Red Cross will help people find the right opportunity, based on the individual’s skills, interests and availability.
Hurricane Ian response update
In the week since Hurricane Ian hit Florida, the American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to provide food, shelter and comfort for people facing the heartbreaking devastation left behind by this historic storm. With help from partners, the Red Cross is reaching out to offer relief and support so that no one faces this tough time alone. Nearly 1,600 Red Crossers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are supporting relief efforts.
On Thursday night, more than 2,100 people sought refuge in at least 16 Red Cross and partner shelters.
With the help of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, four mobile kitchens are now cooking tens of thousands of hot meals each day. More than 100 Red Cross emergency response vehicles are on the roads delivering these hot meals and relief supplies to people struggling in the hardest hit areas.
Red Cross shelters and disaster aid stations — at 36 different locations — are open where people can either stay or get food, relief supplies and other assistance.
Trained volunteers are also providing health and mental health support to families who have suffered unimaginable loss. This includes help coping with new challenges, managing medical conditions, caring for wounds or injuries, and replacing prescription medications or other critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs.
With partners, the Red Cross has provided more than 355,000 meals and snacks, and some 68,000 comfort kits and other relief items like cleaning supplies.
How to help
People interested in supporting those affected by Hurricane Ian can visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to donate or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
In addition, with more than a thousand blood and platelet donations going uncollected in hurricane impacted communities, the Red Cross urges individuals in unaffected areas of the country to schedule a blood donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org to ensure lifesaving blood remains available for patients in impacted areas.