ST. LOUIS — Missouri-based American Red Cross crews are driving down to Florida to help clean up the destruction brought by Hurricane Ian.
The Red Cross already has crews on the ground that were deployed ahead of the storm. But now, it's clear that much more help is needed.
On Thursday morning, the Red Cross is sending two emergency response vehicles from St. Louis to Florida. One truck will transport responders from St. Louis, the other will transport responders from Jefferson City and Columbia chapters of the Red Cross. Each truck is manned by a team of two.
Responders from Little Rock are also making their way to Florida to assist with recovery.
Most of Red Cross relief equipment was shipped Sunday to Orlando, the same day the first wave of volunteers were deployed.
The responders leaving Thursday from are headed to join the team on the ground. Volunteers will meet at a staging ground in Orlando, and from there, they’ll be deployed to where aid is needed.
The ERVs will mostly be used to distribute hot meals to victims over the next few days. Volunteers said they're ready to lend helping hands to those who need the support.
5 On Your Side spoke with volunteer Brett Williams before he climbed aboard the ERV to make the journey to Orlando.
“Why do I do this?" Williams said. "Because people are in need. Life has been good to me, and there’s no better feeling than helping others. When we develop our routes and go to see a neighborhood, people ask us to get out of our truck just to give us a hug. There’s no better feeling than that.”
Beth Elders, executive director of the American Red Cross Greater St. Louis Area Chapter, told 5 on Your Side the Red Cross has responders up the coast of Florida, in Georgia and beyond to respond to Ian's destruction.
Missouri Task Force 1 is also answering Florida’s call to action.
The task force is a division of the Boone County Fire Protection District and was requested Tuesday night. The crew was requested through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact from the State of Florida to the State of Missouri.
One team leader, two small unmanned aircraft system drone pilots and one geographic information system specialist have been deployed to Florida.
Task Force 1 was scheduled to arrive 7 p.m. Wednesday in Gainesville and wait for a mission assignment.
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