NORTH CAROLINA -- Organizations say natural disasters can make it very difficult for people to travel to scheduled blood drives or cause cancellations all together.

• Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and available to patients
• Folks can go online to cbcc.us and just click donate
• Those who want to give blood must be at least 16 years old, weigh 120 pounds and have a government-issued photo ID

Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and available to patients, so it's very important that the blood is already on the shelves and ready to distribute before the storm.

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and Red Cross said it's critical that they have enough blood on hand to help every patient who may need it after Hurricane Florence makes landfall.

"We have extended hours through the rest of this week and hopefully we'll be able to keep the doors open," said Donor Recruitment Representative Gary Brant. "Depending on the weather, we have blood drives throughout the county here that folks can go online to cbcc.us and just click donate. They can search by zip code and find really anywhere in the zip code area that they're looking for and make an appointment right there."

They say they are also working on emergency plans to bring a bus or have a fixed location in Greensboro, Alamance County and Charlotte to make up for any lost donations.

Those who want to give blood must be at least 16 years old, weigh 120 pounds and have a government-issued photo ID to donate.

You can also donate blood through the American Red Cross. To find a a location near you, click here.