Hurricane Charley

Note: The following appeal is now closed.  You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross

 

Hurricane Charley has devastated parts of Florida with winds gusting upwards of 289 kph (180 mph) making it the worst storm to hit the area in more than 40 years.  The state was declared a major disaster area by the American Government.  Charley has claimed at least 13 people, injured hundreds more and has destroyed over 15,000 homes.  Already, more than 45,000 people have found refuge in over 250 Red Cross shelters.  Many more Florida residents are being urged to take precautions in case of flooding and tornadoes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated the damage costs will surpass $15 billion.

The American Red Cross is coordinating a massive response effort that is providing shelter, food and clothing for the thousands of people.  As well, Red Cross volunteers are moving into damaged neighborhoods to provide food and other relief supplies to the victims. There are more that 1,000 Red Cross volunteers and staff working with the victims in the over 250 shelters that have been set up, which have served over 50,000 meals. Florida’s officials have called this the largest evacuation operation in the state’s history.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.