Hurricane Preparedness Week: Red Cross seeks more volunteers to respond to active hurricane season

CHARLOTTE — As forecasters predict another active Atlantic hurricane season, the American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region is seeking additional volunteers to respond to a growing number of climate-driven disasters. This year’s heightened hurricane outlook is part of a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and floods.

Just in 2021, Greater Carolinas Red Cross volunteers responded to nearly 1,400 disasters in the 51 counties served by the region. Volunteers helped over 5,600 people displaced by home fires and severe weather events. In addition, 176 Greater Carolinas Region volunteer disaster responders deployed across the country following multiple large-scale disasters, including flooding in western North Carolina, Midwest and Southern tornadoes, Hurricanes Ida and Henri and western wildfires.

“Volunteers are at the heart of our mission, representing 90% of our workforce and responding on a near-constant basis to provide safe shelter, food and comfort after disasters across the country,” said Allison Taylor, regional executive, Greater Carolinas Region.  “As this relentless pace of severe crises continues, we need more volunteers to grow our capacity and help ensure families never face these emergencies alone.”

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to help provide relief and hope to people affected by disasters. Our most-needed positions include:

• Health services: Use your professional skills as a licensed health care provider to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN. 
• Disaster Action Team: Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families affected by home fires and other disasters by providing support, such as food, lodging, comfort and recovery assistance.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs through May 7, and the American Red Cross urges everyone to plan now for any possible dangerous storms this year.

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY NOW With the increasing risk of climate disasters, it’s more important than ever to follow the three simple steps below to help keep your family safe. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for more safety information, including real-time weather alerts and disaster shelter locations, by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or visiting redcross.org/apps.

• Build an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information.
• Make an evacuation plan with what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans — and don’t forget your pets.
• Know how to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.