The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 03:50 PM
East Tennessee Helping Florida Brace For Hurricane Irma
Florida Governor Rick Scott said, "The storm is massive and the storm surge is predicted to go for miles and miles."
The Sunshine State now scrambles ahead of Irma's threat. "It's preparing for a disaster," Chris Hall, with East Tennessee's Remote Area Medical, said. "We know this storm is a very strong storm."
And RAM is switching gears. They're now wrapping up Harvey recovery to help Florida.
50 volunteers on the ground in Texas will head home in the next couple days without much of a break before Irma strikes.
"Honestly with Irma coming, and it being a large storm, I would see at least that many if not more," Hall said.
RAM's East Tennessee headquarters was stocked with supplies last week to help Harvey victims. But now, they're empty and in need of water, meals, and first aid gear. It can all be dropped off at their Rockford headquarters.
But, most importantly, they're asking for cash donations, after the organization poured more than a $100,000 to help Harvey victims.
Hall said, "Having storms like this back to back, or disasters like this back to back really stretch our financial resources thin."
RAM still said regardless where the category five hurricane hits, they're ready to step in.
"You know a disaster is going to happen," Hall said. "It's very unfortunate for the people that are effected right now from Hurricane Harvey, but it's also prepping what we can do for Hurricane Irma."
You can go to RAMUSA.org for information on volunteering both on the ground in Florida and in their East Tennessee headquarters.
American Red Cross is also looking for your help. You can register to volunteer on their website at Redcross.org/volunteers.
