Hoosier Volunteers Ready To Assist With Hurricane Relief

Members of the Indiana Task Force 1 have arrived in North Carolina to assist with relief efforts from Hurricane Florence.

Spokesman Michael Pruitt says they are currently staged in Raleigh-awaiting their assignment from FEMA.

“Now we are just kind of in a standby, making sure we are in safe facilities as the storm moves in, taking care of our folks," Pruitt says, "and as the storm moves through, we’ll be ready to take care of those who need our help.”

Eighty-six members from Indiana Task Force 1 include police officers, firefighters and civilians.

The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross has also deployed volunteers to assist with relief efforts.

Volunteers will work in a number of capacities, including preparing evacuation shelters, says spokeswoman Duchess Adjei.

“Kind of the same thing with Hurricane Harvey," Adjei says, "it took several days before we were able to go into certain areas and with the expected rainfall that’s going to take place we know that’s going to happen too.”

Twenty-six Hoosiers are joining more than 700 Red Cross volunteers from across the country in helping with the hurricane’s aftermath.

The Red Cross is also accepting financial donations to provide disaster relief for people affected by Hurricane Florence.