Local American Red Cross volunteer heads east for Dorian relief

As hundreds of thousands of people scramble to leave the coastline in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, one local volunteer is heading towards the storm to help people in their time of need.

As soon as Yuma’s American Red Cross Disaster Action Coordinator, Ely Rivas, heard about the impact Dorian is expected to make on the east coast, he was ready to suit up and put his boots on the ground.

Deployment is a task all too familiar to Rivas, after spending 18 years in the military.

The retired U.S. Air Force veteran finds fulfillment in volunteering for the American Red Cross, saying ” When I left the military I just kind of felt emptiness. And I didn’t feel like I was contributing back like when I was in the military. So this for me is a great way for me to give back to my community and my country as well because now I get to respond to natural disasters. ”

Tuesday, Rivas prepared for his fifth disaster relief deployment in Charleston, South Carolina where residents have already been warned to evacuate and seek shelter.

He’ll be spending at least two weeks providing medical, mental, and recovery aid.

” Right now, all the people who were not able to get away from the storm, and they’re stuck, they can go ahead and show up at one of our shelters. That’s one of the things that I’m giving back to that community. I’m able to help them [by] working inside of the shelter, ” Rivas said.

Still, there are no guarantees in knowing what to expect from a natural disaster.

Rivas said, “Yes I am putting myself at risk but the reward and feeling that I get for helping people out in their time of need, it is a feeling that is beyond describing [in] words.”

Rivas found out hours before boarding his flight Wednesday that Charleston International Airport closed down ahead of the storm.

He’s rescheduled to leave possibly Thursday morning to fly into Columbia, South Carolina, then heads down to Charleston to start his volunteer duties.