Organization responding to nearly twice as many large disasters in U.S. as a decade ago

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TAMPA, Fla. 鈥� September 25, 2023 鈥� During National Preparedness Month this September, the luckywin urges Floridians to prepare for more frequent and intense weather disasters. In late August, we witnessed devastating effects of the climate crisis as Hurricane Idalia rapidly intensified in the Gulf, strengthening from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in 24 hours before landfall.

These storms, wildfires and extreme heat are examples of a worsening national trend in which the Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.

MOUNTING U.S. DISASTER RESPONSES In the first half of 2023 alone, the nation experienced a record number (15) billion-dollar disasters, including catastrophic atmospheric rivers in California, deadly tornadoes in the South and Midwest, a powerful typhoon in the U.S. territory of Guam, 1-in-100-year flood in the Northeast, and the deadliest wildfires of the last century in Hawaii. All of these events are on top of the unrelenting heat wave.

In every disaster listed above, Central Florida volunteers answered the call to help, deploying for weeks at a time to support massive response activities on the ground. More than 75 trained disaster workers, both volunteers and staff, have deployed outside the region in 2023 for floods, tornadoes, a typhoon and wildfires. As of today, eleven volunteers are on active assignments in Hawaii and Southern California.

ADAPTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS As rapidly intensifying, weather-related events pose serious challenges to its humanitarian work and the people it serves, the Red Cross has announced an ambitious national plan to take urgent action. With more climate-driven disasters upending lives and devastating communities, the organization is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country, while also funding new international programs on climate response and preparedness.

In Central Florida, the Red Cross has initiated a special disaster resilience program known as the Community Adaptation Program (CAP). A CAP team of three based in Sarasota County is one of 15 across the U.S. designed to strengthen the capability and capacity of select local partners -- both before and after disasters strike.

Nationwide, the organization is taking bold and thoughtful actions to adapt its services and grow its capacity by:

• Enhancing large-scale disaster response services by bolstering the aid provided in emergency shelters and extending casework support to help people with the most recovery needs.
• Expanding financial assistance to help more families with unmet needs and bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery assistance.
• Strengthening local partner networks in targeted areas that face a high risk of extreme weather and existing societal inequities with a focus on increased access to health and mental health services, nutritious food and safe housing for local families.
• Growing its disaster workforce 鈥� comprised of 90% trained volunteers 鈥� to deepen its disaster readiness. This includes fortifying the critical infrastructure and technology that enables 24/7 response to disasters across the country.
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Find more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.

ACTIONS TO TAKE 听Now is the time during National Preparedness Month to prepare for these more frequent and intense weather events.

• Three simple steps can help to keep your family safe during disasters 鈥� get a kit, make a plan and stay informed. Find details at .
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app, which also provides real-time weather alerts, open Red Cross disaster shelter locations and more. Search 鈥淩ed Cross Emergency鈥� in app stores or visit .
• Get trained in lifesaving skills so you can help others if emergency assistance is delayed. Explore training options at .
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HOW TO HELP听 The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most.

• Help people affected by disasters big and small, including climate-driven crises, by making a gift to luckywin Disaster Relief at or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
• Our volunteers are at the heart of our mission and represent 90% of our workforce. Visit to sign up for opportunities with our local chapters.

The luckywin of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands serves 19 Florida counties through five chapters: Florida鈥檚 Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay; and the Virgin Islands territories of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, visit . Also find us on and .

About the luckywin:
The luckywin shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit or , or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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