Scenes from South Carolina - Preparing for Hurricane Matthew

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In Columbia, South Carolina Carlotta Wilson, Margaret Sumpter, Delain Sumter and Virginia Washington, the ladies of the New Light Beulah Baptist Church, bring meals each afternoon to the American Red Cross volunteers that are working to open shelters and provide services to the thousands of people escaping from the path of the hurricane. The women serve the meal with a smile, and no one can refuse their offer of a glass of sweet tea.

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Shannon Lawrimore and Ivan Rodriguez check their baby, Roger (in background), while a Red Cross volunteer helps some other shelter clients set up their cots. The families were happy to see cots and blankets delivered for their overnight stay.

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Johnnie, Josephine, Brittni and Haley Tatum (from left) settle in at Palmetto Bay Elementary School Oct. 7, 2016 where a Red Cross shelter is providing safety from Hurricane Matthew.

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In the heart of Folly Beach, South Carolina, the Irish Pub is buttoned up and ready to be battered by Hurricane Matthew.

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The iconic Bert’s Grocery in Folly Beach, South Carolina, was just about the only business open the day before Hurricane Matthew was to strike. The store was doing a somewhat brisk business considering that most people had already evacuated. The young man traveling on a skateboard came in to purchase some cookies. Bert, manning the cash register, said he was waiting for noon to make a decision about leaving the island.

October 08, 2016

Thousands of people in the path of Hurricane Matthew are looking to the American Red Cross for help as the deadly storm goes up the southeast coast. More than 18,000 people across four states woke up Saturday morning in 183 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters.

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 follow us on social media.