ST. LOUIS – Just before his shift started as a nurse at a St. Petersburg, Florida, hospital Thursday night, Alton native Robert Whitener told FOX 2, “There’s no more preparing; it’s here.”
While working, Whitener had concerns about his own home but had no intention of abandoning patients.
“I was a firefighter for years, and now I’m a nurse,” he said.
The American Red Cross has been responding to disasters for more than 140 years. Beth Elders is the executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis.
“The American Red Cross can only do what we do by the generosity of our community and by volunteers,” she said.
The Red Cross sent supplies and disaster responders ahead of the hurricane. As of Thursday, the agency was ready to open dozens of shelters as water began to cover parking lots.
“The majority of our volunteers that are there are running shelters,” Elders said.
The agency’s warehouse in Hazelwood contains even more supplies if needed, including cleaning supply kits for after the storm has passed through.
Elders has experience providing disaster relief. She’s witnessed how meaningful food, water, and even a hug can be for those who have endured a disaster.
“They recognize that they’re not alone,” Elders added.
She encourages anyone who can offer support to find more information at www.redcross.org or 1-800-RED CROSS. To sign up to become a volunteer, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
Another agency ready to help is Missouri Task Force 1. The unit was one of only 28 urban search and rescue task forces in the country.
“The team left yesterday around noon,” Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp with Boone County Fire Protection District and task force public information officer said.
He said members make a 14-day commitment when deploying. This hurricane deployment includes members with swift water rescue backgrounds.
“Without the local employer support and the family support, it wouldn’t be possible to even go out for one day,” Blomenkamp added.
As of Thursday, Missouri Task Force 1 was staged at a hotel in Gainesville, Georgia, preparing equipment for rapid deployment if necessary.
