NEW ORLEANS — As Hurricane Helene gets closer to landfall, many volunteers are shipping out from Louisiana to help. They are armed with supplies, knowledge, and the kind of understanding that can only come from having dealt with the same kind of disaster themselves.
“Everyone's helped Louisiana, these people in Florida are going to need help,” said Jamey Lutz, President of One Voice NOLA. The nonprofit collects donations of food, water, and hygiene products year-round to prepare to help in disasters.
Friday, volunteers with One Voice will load up and start the drive to the Florida coast. “We know that without power, people get desperate,” said Lutz, “so food and water when stores are closed are crucial.”
The United Cajun Navy has already started heading East. “A lot of people are going to wake up tomorrow and their lives are going to be forever changed,” said Todd Terrell, Founder and President of UCN. He said 15 semi-trucks full of supplies are already staged in Pensacola.
“We have several locations where we have rescuers, guys in boats and airboats, high-water vehicles,” he said. “We're also on standby with several medical facilities to do assisted-living transfers and also medical deliveries of time-critical medicine.”
The UCN’s plans show the knowledge Louisiana volunteers bring to the complex needs of a hurricane-ravaged community. Entergy Louisiana and Cleco have both sent local linemen to stage in Florida and the Red Cross of Louisiana trained volunteers this week who will go to shelters in Helene’s path.
They are prepared to be in it for the long haul. “I see this restoration going into possibly weeks,” Lutz said, “so we may even rotate volunteers.”
To donate to the Red Cross, you can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a $10 donation,” according to its website.
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