BOSTON – Hurricane Milton left widespread flooding across Florida last week, while deadly tornadoes linked to the storms also ripped through the state. The damage came just weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, and Massachusetts volunteers are springing into action to help countless affected residents.
American Red Cross Hurricane Response
Jeff Hall, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross, joined WBZ-TV to discuss recovery efforts in the southeastern United States.
“Right now, the majority of the work is feeding and caring for people who have been displaced from their homes. We still have about 17,000 people in shelters in Florida. They are out of their homes,” Hall said. “We provide a safe place to sleep, a comfortable environment and food. Everyone hopes to get out of the shelter and go home. But we want to make sure they do that in a safe way and that they have a safe place to stay until they can do that.”
Currently, 50 Red Cross volunteers from Massachusetts are working on hurricane recovery efforts.
“It’s incredible work what our volunteers do. They leave virtually at a moment’s notice and they know they’re going for at least two weeks. They feed and shelter people in Carolina and all the way to Florida,” Hall said.
How to help hurricane victims
To date, volunteers have provided approximately three-quarters of a million hot meals since Hurricane Helene.
Hall said the organization is looking financial donations to continue helping people affected by the recent hurricanes. The Red Cross is also looking for more volunteers.
“We have just over 50 people from Massachusetts, but we are looking for more,” Hall said. “If you’re a highly motivated person, you can head out to Florida in a few days. We can give you training so you know what to expect so you can have a good experience helping people.”
Visit the American Red Cross website for more information on how to donate.
