The American Red Cross is responding across four states to help and comfort people impacted by the deluge brought by Debby. Today, hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers from all over the U.S. are working across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina as Tropical Storm Debby’s torrential rainfall and dangerous storm surge cause catastrophic flooding in the area, damaging homes, flooding streets, downing power lines and disrupting travel.

Phil Rehmer of Aurora, a Red Cross volunteer from the Greater Chicago and Illinois River Valley Chapters is traveling to his ninth deployment. Previously, Phil has deployed to help people impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and atmospheric events, and other humanitarian missions across the country. Phil is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care team who provides support to individuals and families who have been impacted by a disaster.

Phil will be available for in-person or virtual media interviews. Please contact connie.esparza@redcross.org or call (331) 399-5919 to arrange an interview.

AJ Jamal of Carol Stream, a Red Cross volunteer from the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Illinois region, will be deploying to join other Red Cross volunteers to work in local shelters helping those displaced from their homes. AJ has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2020 and has responded to aid people impacted by wildfires in California and Colorado as well as other humanitarian missions locally and across the country.

AJ is traveling to his assignment today and will begin assisting displaced residents tomorrow. We are unsure if we will be able to connect with AJ for interviews once he is deployed. Please contact connie.esparza@redcross.org or call (331) 399-5919 for assistance.

Hurricane Debby’s torrential rains are exacerbating the national blood shortage announced by the Red Cross on Monday. Debby’s devastating flooding, power outages and travel hazards have forced the cancellation of blood drives in the Southeast, causing hundreds of lifesaving blood products to go uncollected when more donations are so desperately needed. Even as we work to overcome this blood shortage, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and comfort to communities affected by the hurricane in the Southeast and wildfires in the West.

People urgently need aid now. You can help by making an appointment to give blood or platelets or financial donation by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800- 733-2767).

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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.