How to help Hurricane Ian victims, Florida disaster relief

Ian made landfall Wednesday in southwest Florida, lashing the realm with heavy rains and 150-mph winds. It had already torn into Cuba, killing two individuals and leaving the nation with out energy. 

First responders and relief organizations equipped to reply, getting ready provides and getting individuals to shelter — about 2.5 million individuals have been ordered to evacuate. With forecasts of the storm’s path shifting, many ready for the worst. 

MORE: Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwest Florida

“We don’t know the type of destruction we’re going to be dealing with, the magnitude we’re going to deal with,” Red Cross spokesman Evan Peterson stated earlier than the storm made landfall. “We know that this is a catastrophic storm… and that there’s going to be a very serious path of destruction.” 

For these removed from Ian’s winds and rain, there are methods to help. This record will probably be up to date. 

The Red Cross said it’s ready to help as many as 60,000 individuals after transferring blood, cots, blankets and relief provides into the area.

As blood has a comparatively brief shelf life and takes days to take a look at and course of, the group says provides have to be replenished continuously. Appointments to give blood might be made utilizing redcrossblood.org.

“It is so important for people outside of the storm area to keep those blood appointments, make those appointments, so we can continue making sure that our supplies are open and ready to go,” Peterson stated. 

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He additionally inspired individuals to donate to the group’s relief efforts. A kind on the Red Cross’s donation page permits donors to select what efforts to assist, together with one for Hurricane Ian relief. People may donate by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting the phrase IAN to 90999.

The Florida Disaster Fund, the state’s official non-public fund that helps disaster response actions, was activated Wednesday.

“We greatly appreciate the kindness and generosity of organizations and individuals from across the country looking to support Floridians, thank you,” Florida first girl Casey DeSantis stated in a press release. 

RELATED: Florida Disaster Fund activated for Hurricane Ian | How to contribute

Donations to the fund might be made via the Volunteer Florida website. 

Checks might be made out to “Volunteer Florida Foundation” and embrace “Florida Disaster Fund” within the memo line. They might be mailed to Volunteer Florida Foundation at 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

The Salvation Army says its Florida chapter has one subject kitchen and almost 30 cell feeding models prepared, together with bulk disaster provides in Tampa. It says individuals can donate online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

It says one of the best ways to help is thru monetary donations, as cash can be utilized extra readily in disaster conditions than provides. 

The fund, organized by Save the Children, donates child-focused objects to youngsters getting ready for and recovering from disasters within the U.S. and around the globe. The group stated it has ready provides and mobilized an emergency response workforce to help Florida households.

“Children are always among the most vulnerable when disaster strikes, and our thoughts and hearts go out to kids and families in the pathway of this dangerous storm,” stated Hurricane Ian response workforce chief Barbara Ammirati in a statement.

Donations might be made via the organization’s website.

Project HOPE, a nonprofit humanitarian relief group, says it has a response workforce in Florida ready with drugs, water and different provides. It accepts donations through its website. 

The group stated in a statement that different groups spent the final week responding to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and stay on the bottom there. 

Project HOPE stated its groups will work with native companions and well being care employees, notably specializing in the aged, individuals with disabilities and different weak communities. 

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