Red Cross of Wisconsin Sending Volunteers to Help With Hurricane Ida

Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

(WMTV) The Red Cross of Wisconsin has sent dozens of volunteers to help with the pandemic and wildfire this year, and now they face another disaster, Hurricane Ida.

Red Cross branches closer to the hurricane are setting up shelter and evacuation centers for people to ride out the storm. “This is the real heart of when hurricane season happens,” Red Cross of Wisconsin Communications Director Justin Kern said.

The Red Cross of Wisconsin has sent one volunteer to the Gulf Coast, and the organization is standing by to get a better idea of the storm’s impact, preparing to potentially send more volunteers.

Representatives with the Red Cross said it is setting up everything from cots to food to basic health needs as they prepare for helping those in need. “The disaster volunteers are heroes. They go out and drop everything in their lives to help people, near and far, every single day,” Kern said.

After the initial emergency responses, the organization will transition to a response phase, helping assess the damage to homes as well as helping with cases virtually.

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