Wisconsin American Red Cross volunteers deployed to aid with Hurricane Helene

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Volunteers with the American Red Cross in Wisconsin are on standby in Florida to lend a helping hand as Hurricane Helene causes tens of thousands to evacuate.

Fourteen volunteers from the American Red Cross Wisconsin Region were deployed and are preparing supplies in northern Florida until the hurricane passes through, so they can head to the hardest hit areas.

"They will turn and help us at a drop of a hat," said Jennifer Warren, with the Wisconsin Region American Red Cross. "You know, just having people that will jump in and help when you need it is awesome."

The crews are providing clean-up kits and basic necessities like food and water.

The American Red Cross has sent hundreds of disaster workers from across the nation to provide truckloads of relief supplies.

Warren says the volunteers are on standby, ready to jump in as Florida residents will face tough days ahead.

"It's really rewarding, I think, for the volunteers to be down there," said Warren. "To be helping, to know that in some small way they are making a difference to these people who have probably lost so much."

Two emergency response vehicles left from Milwaukee and Green Bay on Thursday morning. Warren says they have more volunteers on standby in Wisconsin that will likely be sent out in the coming days.