As part of a unique nationwide response, five emergency response trucks and 10 volunteers from the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region were on their way Tuesday from Westwood to areas hit hard by Hurricane Matthew in South Carolina.
The volunteers will bring drinking water, ready-to-eat meals, cleaning supplies, comfort kits, insect repellant, shovels, rakes and more to an area that has been stricken with power outages and record-breaking flooding, according to Maria F. Melo Bueno, the regional communications manager for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region.
The volunteers are planning to be deployed for 15 days, Melo Bueno said.
The Red Cross has been criticized in Congress and elsewhere for tepid responses to flooding in Louisiana and during other hurricanes. This will be the first time emergency vehicles from Red Cross chapters in the 48 continental states will all be sent to respond to a single emergency.
The Red Cross will work in collaboration with government officials and community partners to coordinate the response effort and ensure as many people receive the help they need as quickly as possible, Melo Bueno said.
The organization is asking for support from Southern California residents, she said. Monetary donations support the Red Cross, which accepts donations at RedCross.org or (800) RED-CROSS. Texting the word “Matthew” to 90999 automatically sends $10 towards the relief effort.
Red Cross officials Monday also noted that blood and platelet donations are especially needed at this time because Hurricane Matthew has forced the cancellation of blood drives in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Donations of blood or platelets can be arranged by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling (800) 733-2767.
—City News Service