Red Cross responds to Hurricane Ian devastation in South Carolina
October 3, 2022
Help by making a donation, giving blood, or becoming a volunteer
The American Red Cross is working tirelessly to help people devastated by Hurricane Ian. Many communities are unrecognizable after the storm and volunteers from across the country are helping those affected and will be helping them recover for weeks and months to come. Since Hurricane Ian slammed into the Southeast, some 1,500 deployed Red Crossers from all 50 states are helping with our relief efforts in Florida and across five other states including South Carolina.
“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Rod Tolbert, CEO of the Red Cross South Carolina Region. “They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
In South Carolina, Red Cross disaster responders worked throughout the weekend alongside our community partners to support people affected by Hurricane Ian. In South Carolina, the Red Cross served over 470 meals to impacted South Carolinians across four shelters and provided overnight shelter stays to 80 South Carolinians during and after the impacts of Hurricane Ian.
Shelters remain open across the affected areas in Florida. The Red Cross and our partners are providing a safe place to stay, food to eat, and a shoulder to lean on as people begin to pick up the pieces after the storm.
Red Cross emergency response vehicles are delivering food and relief supplies, and volunteers are helping families cope and replacing essentials like prescription medications, eyeglasses or critical medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs. To date, three South Carolina disaster-trained volunteers have deployed to provide food, shelter, and comfort for people facing the heartbreaking devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian in Florida.
Dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters canceled dozens of blood drives causing about 1,000 lifesaving blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Individuals who live in areas unaffected by Hurricane Ian — especially those with type O blood — are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
MAKE A DONATION We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come. To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
GIVE BLOOD Please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
VOLUNTEER If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday and get involved today.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
