Here's how to donate to those affected by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona
The American Red Cross and FOX have partnered to collect donations for disaster relief efforts in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Red Cross continuing to provide relief after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida
Jay Lawrence, American Red Cross Spokesperson, discusses recovery and relief efforts post Hurricane Ian.
FOX and the American Red Cross have partnered to collect donations for those impacted by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona.
Hurricane Ian made its first U.S. landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28, tying for the 4th-strongest storm to hit the Sunshine State. Powerful winds and record-breaking storm surge plunged more than 2 million residents into darkness and decimated homes and communities across Florida.
A destroyed beach front home that was carried across the street by the storm surge. Scenes of flooding and storm damage after Hurricane Ian ravaged Fort Myers Beach, Fla. (Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post / Getty Images)
This comes after Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sept. 19, triggering floods and mudslides that wiped out homes, bridges and other types of infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico during the aftermath.
Before and after photos show the devastation left behind after Hurricane Fiona pummeled the island. (FOX Weather)
To help those impacted by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian in Florida, the American Red Cross and FOX have partnered to launch a fundraising site where people can donate to disaster relief efforts.
Donations can be made here.
In Florida, more than 1,500 members of the Red Cross from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are supporting relief efforts. They have provided nearly 355,000 meals and snacks and handed out more than 62,000 comfort kits and other relief items. As of Tuesday, more than 2,000 people have sought refuge in nearly 20 Red Cross and partner shelters across Florida.
Red Cross volunteers working ahead of Hurricane Ian unload tractor trailers of supplies that will be heading to evacuation shelters in Florida. The supplies include cots, blankets, gloves, flashlights and clean-up kits. (Marko Kokic / American Red Cross)
Leading up to Hurricane Ian, the Red Cross moved truckloads of additional cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of relief supplies into the region to be prepared to help as many as 60,000 people.
Rosemarie Bakshis, a registered nurse and Red Cross volunteer, is helping with the health and medical needs of the folks seeking shelter from Hurricane Ian at the Ross Norton Community Center in Clearwater, Fl. (Marko Kokic / American Red Cross)
The Red Cross also sent several hundred blood products to Florida ahead of the storm to ensure patients continue to have access to a readily available blood supply.
Red Cross volunteer Richard Dournink wraps up John Burrows' painful elbow at the Red Cross Evacuation Center in Clearwater, Fl. (Marko Kokic / American Red Cross)
In Puerto Rico, the organization has already begun working with the local government to provide support where needed. The agency has more than 200 trained volunteers who are assessing damages and who have provided more than 700 households with emergency supplies.
Virtual health and mental health services from the Red Cross are also ready. Additional resources through recovery casework may be provided once damage assessments are made. Relief efforts are ongoing, despite many Red Cross workers not having access to power or water.
To support the Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Florida, donations can be made here. You can also use the QR code below to access the donation site.
Take a picture of this QR code with your phone, and it will take you to the American Red Cross site for Hurricane Ian relief donations: redcross.org/foxforward (American Red Cross / Fox Corporation)