JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News On Your Side and the American Red Cross of North Florida are teaming up to spread the message and need for donations ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Right now, hundreds of American Red Cross disaster responders are working around the clock to provide safe refuge, comfort and support as Floridians brace for Hurricane Milton.
The Red Cross also continues to support people across other states impacted by Helene. Help the American Red Cross provide meals, shelter and hope to people affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene. Your support enables the Red Cross to respond and help people recover from this disaster.
Please consider helping by making a financial donation or signing up to become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org or text MILTON to 90999 or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Financial donations to help people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. Help the American Red Cross provide meals, shelter and hope to people affected by Hurricanes Milton & Helene. Your support enables us to respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
Millions of people have evacuated in advance of Milton. The Red Cross wants everyone to know that shelters are open to support people and pets in need of safety. More than 32,000 people spent Tuesday night in evacuation shelters managed by the Red Cross and other organizations.
Experts say Milton may almost double in size before landfall in Florida, meaning a larger part of the state will experience the storm’s devastating winds, more than a foot of rain and a 15-foot storm surge. If you need a safe place to stay, visit redcross.org, download the free Red Cross Emergency app or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news. If you need help getting to a shelter in Florida, call 800-729-3413 for help or visit floridadisaster.gov.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free. The Red Cross does not require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and where they were living before the disaster. Hurricane evacuation shelters are typically only meant to shelter people for a short amount of time as a hurricane moves through. These facilities may not have cots and blankets available for everyone. If possible, people who plan to stay in a shelter are encouraged to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents. Do not forget to bring any special items for children, such as diapers, formula and toys, or for family members who have unique needs.
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. Hundreds of Red Crossers and 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. 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.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, consider becoming a Red Cross volunteer. The Red Cross needs your assistance. People need urgent support now, and the Red Cross can’t do this alone.
