Louisiana Red Cross sends volunteers to Florida for Hurricane Helene

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — As Hurricane Helene barreled through Florida, Louisiana American Red Cross began to deploy responders to help affected residents.

Kenneth St. Charles with the Louisiana Red Cross says when it comes to disasters they’ll always be ready to respond.

“Some volunteers just finished their assignment with Francine. They went back home to their parts of the country and now they are being mobilized and deployed for Hurricane Helene. We couldn’t do this work without the volunteers,” said St. Charles.

Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday as a category-four hurricane, causing several deaths and flooding many homes and vehicles.

St. Charles says it is difficult to see the residents hurt after a hurricane, but he wants those affected to know Red Cross is there to help.

“Whether it’s going out to buy clothes, arranging for long-term recovery, helping a family whose house has now collapsed in the ocean. Our volunteers will help them to recover and respond,” said St. Charles.

With over 400 responders already deployed and another 300 on standby, he says they are also keeping an eye on any potential storms to come.

“Disaster doesn’t have a schedule. Disaster happens and we have to be ready. It just comes with the territory. The Red Cross has to be ready, so we are always preparing,” said St. Charles.

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