RALEIGH, N.C. — Dozens of people have died because of Hurricane Ian in Florida and that number is expected to grow over the coming days. Meanwhile, the clean-up, especially in the Tampa Bay area, is only just beginning, and North Carolina organizations are stepping in to help.
What You Need To Know
The death toll from Hurricane Ian continues to climb as the clean-up is only just beginning
The Red Cross is deploying volunteers to Florida from all over the country, including North Carolina
The organization is also sending blood donations to Florida, so people are encouraged to donate blood in their communities
The American Red Cross in North Carolina is deploying to Florida to help communities hit hardest by Hurricane Ian. Cindy Romig lives in Raleigh and is among the 33 volunteers from eastern North Carolina volunteering with the organization.
“There’s so much need, and there was so much destroyed. I’m excited, and I’m happy to be able to help people,” Romig said. “We expect to be gone two weeks. Depending on how things go I may extend that by a few days or a week. We’ll just have to see. It’s very fluid. You have to be very flexible.”
This is Romig’s fifth volunteer deployment. In the last two years, she’s been deployed to wildfires in the West as well as three other major storms across the country.
“I’ll be representing the Red Cross. I’ll be working in food service this time. I’ve done other roles in previous deployments, but this time I’ll be working in kitchens. I’ll be preparing meals, serving meals to our clients and possibly delivering meals to others or other locations,” Romig said.
“It’s tough for us. I’ve gotten off a shift and gone back to my room, and you just need to collect yourself. We’re human too. It can be difficult, but it’s so rewarding, and that tries to make up for it,” Romig said.
Romig’s career background is in software marketing, and she says she volunteers with the Red Cross because she feels compelled to help others, especially people who are experiencing their toughest days.
“If there’s anything that I can do, whether it’s serving meals or offering blankets or just offering a comforting shoulder. At this time, these people they don’t know what to do next, so if I can help them with their road to recovery I’m happy to,” Romig said. “I love helping people. I love being there for people when they need you. I love being able to provide something that people need in that moment.”
The Red Cross is also sending hundreds of blood donations to Florida from places that haven’t been affected by the storm. The organization is encouraging people to donate blood in their communities in order to boost availability of supply levels and donations. To donate blood through the Red Cross, visit the organization’s website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).