For the second time in two weeks, the American Red Cross is mobilizing support for an historic storm as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida. These preparations are happening even as disaster teams continue helping families and communities upended by Helene.

With the Red Cross readying for a potentially massive relief effort after Hurricane Milton, about 15 disaster workers from the Kansas and Oklahoma Region traveled to Florida ahead of the storm’s expected landfall. Additional disaster workers are ready to travel after Milton leaves the area.

These disaster workers will mainly help with sheltering and feeding operations in the wake of Hurricane Milton.

Red Cross volunteer Karen Daily left for Florida on Monday. It’s her first deployment since massive wildfires in California two years ago.

“[I’m] a little worried about going before the hurricane, but I know the Red Cross always takes care of their volunteers,” Daily said.

Several participants in shelter academies held throughout the region last week are among the volunteers who are deploying. The academies were a way to train more shelter workers — many of them brand-new volunteers — quickly to help not only in hurricane-affected areas, but also in Kansas and Oklahoma during future disasters.

Kansas-Oklahoma staff members are also on the ground in Florida, ready to help anyone affected by Milton. Regional Client Care Manager Genyce Goodchild is there as a shelter supervisor. Goodchild started at the Red Cross in 2023 as a volunteer and helped shelter Oklahomans impacted by tornadoes in April and May 2024. She accepted a staff position in September and led three shelter academies in Tulsa last week.

“Some of those new Red Cross volunteers are now packing their first bags for deployment. What an honor it will be to serve alongside them,” Goodchild said. “But mostly my mind keeps wandering back to past faces I’ve met and what it’s like to quietly listen, to hold someone else’s story with them and just to be present. And I’m feeling grateful to be part of an organization that holds open the door of hope to so many in their time of need.”

HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS As millions of people evacuate in advance of Milton, we want everyone to know that shelters are open to support people and pets in need of safety. In fact, some 32,000 people spent Tuesday night in shelters managed by the Red Cross and other organizations.

Even as Milton threatens Florida, the Red Cross is working tirelessly in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies and comfort to those still coping with the unimaginable destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene. Dozens of emergency response vehicles are on the roads providing meals, water and supplies to those living without electricity and struggling to clean up their homes. Hundreds of Red Crossers and our partners have provided nearly 35,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters and more than 513,000 meals and snacks to help those affected by Helene. People are still trying to find loved ones missing after Hurricane Helene and Red Cross reunification staff are working nonstop to help. If you need assistance, visit redcross.org/helene.

People need urgent support now, and we can’t do this alone. Please help by making a financial donation, an appointment to give blood or platelets, or signing up to become a volunteer 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 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.