Red Cross preparing for Hurricane Dorian

The Red Cross is preparing to help those in the path of Hurricane Dorian, as the storm keeps growing stronger and aiming for the southeast coast of the U.S.

12 Arizona Red Cross trained volunteers out of 600 are being deployed to the region expected to be affected by Hurricane Dorian. It is still uncertain where exactly the hurricane is going to hit, however Red Cross said 19 million people live in areas that can be impacted by wind, as much as 15-inches of rain, flooding, and a high storm surge.

The Red Cross said as many as 50,000 people in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina may need emergency shelter.

Currently, The Red Cross is coordinating with community partners and emergency responders to prepare evacuation centers for people who may seek shelter over Labor Day Weekend. They are also mobilizing 20 emergency response vehicles and more than 60 tractor-trailer loads full of relief supplies to help those people in the path of Hurricane Dorian. Many Southeast area hospitals are stocked to capacity as well.

So far the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were affected by Dorian earlier this week, where the Red Cross said they are currently distributing relief supplies and helping to assess any damages.

The Red Cross states, ” This disaster is expected to be widespread and costly. The American Red Cross is asking for the public support through financial donations. Donating to help those affected is easy, text “Dorian” to 90999 to make a $10 donation, call 800 Red Cross or online at www.redcross.org. ”