Hurricane Ian is described as a “large, deadly and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina.”
The hurricane developed over the central Caribbean Sea late Friday, September 23, 2022. Winds reaching 155 MPH have been recorded, along with fierce rain and extreme weather, leaving all of Cuba without power, and nearly 400,000 homes across Florida without electricity as of October 3, 2022.
Unfortunately the death toll continues to rise, while thousands of other residents have been left without shelter, food and clean water. Hurricane Ian qualifies as one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the United States in decades.
As of Saturday, October 1, members of the Utah Red Cross departed from the Salt Lake City Airport to join a team of more than 1,000 volunteers in Florida.
The Red Cross stated that “The three Utah volunteers deploying Saturday morning – Kathy Statler from Riverdale; Bert Davis from West Jordan; and Debbie Schaefer from Herriman – will be assisting with sheltering thousands of displaced Florida residents. As of yesterday, some 10,000 people sought refuge in as many as 100 Red Cross and partner shelters.”
We honor and appreciate each of these volunteers for their bravery and willingness to help.
In Utah, due to the distance that separates us from the southeastern states, we may feel as if there is nothing we can do … but this is not the case!
The Red Cross suggests these options for Utah Residents:
- Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund – This enables the Red Cross to properly prepare for and respond to disasters while helping victims recover. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
- Donate Blood – Hurricane Ian’s projected path through Georgia and the Carolinas is now threatening to cancel more than 130 Red Cross blood drives. If this were to occur, more than 2,700 blood and platelet donations would go uncollected. Because many additional blood drive cancellations are expected to occur in the Southeast and less donors are likely to come out to donate in the current weather conditions, there will be a serious need for blood donations.
- Become a volunteer – You have the ability to make a very significant impact as a Red Cross Volunteer. If you are able, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get involved!
Those who have been affected by Hurricane Ian not only need our donations, love, and support, but also our prayers.
Despite our race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation, may we join together as Utahns in our communities to pray for each of the victims and their families.
May we also find a deep appreciation for each of our many blessings at this time and come to understand how fortunate we truly are.
– Hailee Eyre (18) Cedar City/Panguitch
Feature image caption: A red cross employee ships boxes for hurricane relief. Courtesy kvue.
Hailee Eyre – Panguitch
Hailee Eyre is a journalist at The Byway. She attended Southern Utah University in the fall and is pursuing a career in the medical field. Her favorite topics to write about are those that intend to inspire others, providing motivation as means to better yourself or the world around you. In her free time, Hailee loves to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, boating or hiking.
Hailee is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pennsylvania and New York Church History Sites Mission.