CLEVELAND — American Red Cross volunteers from Northern Ohio have been deployed to aid in multiple relief efforts for natural disasters occurring across the country.
19 of the volunteers have been assigned to Louisiana and Texas to help those impacted by Hurricane Laura. They are joined by hundreds of other trained Red Cross disaster workers providing relief efforts for the devastation caused by the hurricane, which has been called one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S.
"The Red Cross has teams of volunteers circulating through accessible areas to assess damage and provide ready-to-eat meals, water and snacks," a press release from the Red Cross states. "Thousands of people are taking refuge in emergency lodgings, including shelters and, in some circumstances, hotels. Red Cross workers are also helping to replace prescription medications, eyeglasses and offer emotional support to people whose lives have been turned upside down."
Four other Northern Ohio Red Cross volunteers have been assigned to the wildfires in northern California that have been raging for several few weeks.
"Nearly two weeks after first igniting, nearly 54,000 people still can't return home in northern California with devastating wildfires continuing to burn out of control," the release continues. Red Cross volunteers are providing food, shelter, relief supplies and comfort to people displaced by the fires.
One volunteer from Northern Ohio was sent down to Florida to help with relief efforts for a tornado that touched down earlier this week.
The Red Cross is always looking for additional volunteers who are in good health, willing and able to receive free Red Cross training and can deploy for up to two weeks.
Those interested can visit the Red Cross website to learn more.
