Red Cross issues urgent call for volunteers, blood and platelets

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thousands of East Coast residents ravaged by Hurricane Matthew are still suffering as flood waters continue to rise to historic levels in parts of North Carolina.

The American Red Cross has mobilized a massive response effort spanning four states – and say they need volunteers, blood and platelets but no longer need clothing to help in those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

On Tuesday evening, nearly 4,500 people were still seeking refuge in 77 Red Cross and community shelters across the southeast. Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the U.S., Red Cross and community partners have served thousands of meals and snacks, and provided more than 70,000 overnight stays in shelters. That’s more overnight stays than after Superstorm Sandy.

Many families have lost everything as a result of Hurricane Matthew and its torrential flooding. The Red Cross is providing food, shelter, comfort, emotional support and health services to help people cope with this devastation.

Hurricane Matthew also forced the cancellation of 95 Red Cross blood drives in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, resulting in nearly 3,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected. Blood and platelet donations are urgently needed.

In North Carolina, they say the number of people in shelters doubled this past Monday night – and is continuing to rise. The Red Cross has mobilized workers, volunteers, and emergency response vehicles to the state.

Red Cross says getting help to some areas is still challenging, due to devastating floodwaters and closed roads. As conditions improve, the Red Cross plans to reach more affected communities and response vehicles will begin circulating through the hardest hit areas to begin delivering food and relief supplies.