There are 30 Northeast Ohio Red Cross volunteers already helping in Houston after the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey. Now, new volunteers are needed if Hurricane Irma slams into Florida.
The Cleveland area Red Cross is speeding up training for new volunteers who could head to Florida to help potential victims of Hurricane Irma.
This time, volunteers are also being pre-positioned in Florida, after lessons learned in Texas when volunteers were delayed trying to get into the Houston area because of flooding.
“We have sent four workers to Florida from Northeast Ohio, and there are dozens more from across the country who are heading to Florida now, before any potential storm hits,” said Jim McIntyre with the Northeast Ohio Red Cross.
Volunteers are deployed for two weeks.
They work 12 hour shifts and sleep on cots in the shelters.
The Northeast Ohio Red Cross said more volunteers are needed, because the country could be dealing with two disasters at the same time.
Training lasts for two full days, with additional training online.
Volunteers who were trained this week could be immediately deployed to Florida.
If you would like more information on how to become a Red Cross volunteer go to the Red Cross's website and click on volunteer.
