Disaster response a ‘balancing act’ for Red Cross

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As people in the southeastern U.S. deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, another powerful storm is targeting Florida.

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Nearly 100 disaster responders from the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region are helping people affected by Hurricane Helene.

Former South Dakotans bracing for Hurricane Milton

“We’re proud of the fact that we have such a high number,” said Patty Brooks, the executive director of the America Red Cross Eastern South Dakota Chapter.

She says 15 responders of the mostly volunteer group are from South Dakota.

“A lot of running the shelters, feeding the shelters, making sure people are safe. There are some folks working with local affected officials,” Brooks said.

As the organization helps in the aftermath of Helene, it’s also preparing to send volunteers to respond to Hurricane Milton.

“We’ve already got people up and ready and trained,” Brooks said.

As volunteers from Minnesota and the Dakotas help in other parts of the country, the Red Cross has to stay ready to respond at home.

“Single-family or multi-family are still occurring right here in our backyard, so it’s really a balancing act of not sending all the disaster volunteers out nationally and keeping some folks back here to respond to the needs that are happening right here in our local communities as well,” Brooks said.

The Red Cross says blood donations are needed from people living outside of the affected area.

To find a blood drive, click here.