Oregon Red Cross volunteer flies out to help those affected by Hurricane Helene

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Hurricane Milton may have been slightly downgraded to a Category 4 storm , but that hasn’t stopped the sense of urgency along the coast after Hurricane Helene wrecked havoc in late September.

As communities in the Gulf are making preparations to flee their homes, Oregonians are rolling up their sleeves to volunteer in aid efforts.

Red Cross volunteer Toby Bates flew out of Portland International Airport early Tuesday morning to assist those on the East Coast after the effects of Hurricane Helene. He may also make his way to help during Hurricane Milton in what forecasters say could be Florida’s worst storm in over a century .

Bates said he will work as a shelter supervisor, which is a multipurpose role that could help people fleeing from an impact zone or recovering after the storm.

“This is my third national deployment,” Bates said. “It’s just something great to do. As these storms are getting bigger and more frequent it’s more important that we come together, get out there and help.”

Bates said the original plan was to send him to Florida before Milton hit. However, the Red Cross told KOIN 6 News all flights have been grounded in the Sunshine State. So instead, they are diverting volunteers to Helene cleanup — for now.

“I think maybe they’re staging people outside of the initial storm-hitting zone so that they can move people in as needed,” Bates explained.

Each volunteer will spend a minimum of two weeks serving the communities wrecked from the storms. The Red Cross said they’re in desperate need of more volunteers and that the process is now easier than ever to get involved.

“I like helping people. It’s a very rewarding, thing you can do if you’ve got the time to do it. and I do have the time to do it,” Bates said. “If your ship is sinking, the Red Cross is a lifeboat. We’re not…we’re not a cruise ship. We’re there to get you through and get you past the immediate disaster.”

If you don’t have time to volunteer, Bates encourages offering the Red Cross a blood donation to help support their efforts.

Stay with KOIN 6 news as this story develops.

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