Millions of people were in the path of Hurricane Michael as the unprecedented storm hit the Gulf Coast Wednesday with life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall and the deadly storm surge. The American Red Cross is on the ground providing safe shelter, relief supplies and more to residents in Florida and surrounding states.
Michael is the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the Florida Panhandle, according to records dating back to 1851. As it moves inland, it is forecast to drop heavy rain in the Carolinas where residents are still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Hundreds of thousands of people remain under evacuation orders and many schools and colleges are closed along with airports and ports.
The Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of trained volunteers to help pre-position enough shelter supplies, including cots and blankets, to be able to support some 15,000 people. On Tuesday night, approximately 4,000 people stayed in nearly 70 Red Cross and community evacuation centers across Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
This will be a long recovery effort to help the thousands affected and we are only able to be there in times of need with your generous support.
The American Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. You can help people affected by Hurricane Michael by visiting redcross.org today.
