Red Cross Continues to Provide Assistance to Those Affected by Tornados in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 17, 2022) – Since early yesterday morning, volunteers from the American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter have been coordinating with emergency officials to respond to the severe weather and tornado damage in Fort Myers. 

The Red Cross has 27 volunteers and staff on the ground and since last night have provided nearly 300 meals to those impacted with two emergency response vehicles canvassing the affected areas providing additional meals to those that remain in their homes. Red Cross Disaster Emergency Services teams are also in the affected areas providing clean-up kits that contain items such as tarps, brooms, garbage bags, flashlights, batteries, large totes for personal belongings and personal protective equipment.

“As we’ve recently seen across the country and now locally, tornadoes strike quickly, leaving communities devastated,” said Jill Palmer, Executive Director for the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter of the Red Cross. “It’s inspiring to see how quickly our community came together and the dedication from our volunteers that sprang into action to care for others in their time of need.”

Red Cross volunteers have been trained to follow proper safety procedures and protocols to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters during this global health crisis.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day for help because #EmergenciesDontStop. Neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today, visit redcross.org/SouthFlorida.

HOW PEOPLE CAN TAKE ACTION:

• Visit redcross.org/tornadoes to find safety tips and how to yourself and loved ones from tornadoes.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/sflvolunteer. 
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting 'GETEMERGENCY' to 90999. This all-inclusive app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.