SOUTH CAROLINA, September 12, 2024 – American Red Cross disaster teams are on the ground across the Gulf Coast, working with local officials and partners to provide a safe haven for people impacted by Francine. Six disaster-trained volunteers from the American Red Cross of South Carolina are deploying to support disaster relief operations in Mississippi.

“I want to help some people who are in need and do my part. Hopefully they can pass on good deeds in the future,” said Jim Bufano, Red Cross volunteer deploying to Mississippi from Greenville today. “Hopefully that will improve our whole society, all helping one another.”

Francine made landfall in Louisiana Wednesday as a dangerous Category 2 hurricane bringing widespread flooding, downed trees and power outages for hundreds of thousands of people. Though weakening, Francine may cause flooding with more rain possible in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, on top of a dangerous storm surge.

In advance of landfall, the Red Cross mobilized trained workers, emergency response vehicles and thousands of relief supplies and ready-to-eat meals to be ready to help. The Red Cross is working around the clock to help those affected by this disaster. Our first priority is making sure people have a safe place to stay. We’re opening shelters in some areas and supporting community shelters in others.

More help, along with emergency response vehicles filled with relief supplies, are on the way. The Red Cross of South Carolina stands ready to deploy more disaster-trained workers as needed.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like flooding, wildfires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER Every day, the American Red Cross sees the heartbreak of people trying to cope with more intense storms, heavier rainfall, higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes, and more devastating wildfires. As more people rely on the Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater. This spring, consider volunteering with the American Red Cross in one of our urgently needed volunteer opportunities. Learn more at redcross.org/volunteer.

CLIMATE CRISIS The American Red Cross is taking urgent action in response to the climate crisis, which is disrupting lives and entire communities as the frequency and intensity of extreme weather rapidly increases around the globe. The Red Cross stands on the frontlines of the climate crisis with families and communities — responding to rapidly intensifying storms, extreme heat, record floods and widespread wildfires. Our changing climate is a humanitarian crisis for the communities and people we serve, and as fast as we’re working to adapt, the needs are escalating faster. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.

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