On Monday, Susan Landreth-Everitt headed to Mobile, Ala. to assist with any damage from Hurricane Ida.
But by Wednesday, the executive director of the American Red Cross of East Central Georgia, headquartered in Augusta, was in Tupelo, Miss. helping with relief efforts.
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“I was sent to Mississippi to ensure no damage from the remnants of Ida. Had heavy rains, some flooding, tornado touchdown, and unfortunately a small collapse resulting in 2 fatalities/10 injured, but we did not have to open shelter,” she wrote in an email Wednesday morning.
Landreth-Everitt is one of four area Red Cross representatives currently deployed in support of those affected by Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in Louisiana Sunday. Three volunteers from the area are in Pass Christian, Miss. and Baton Rouge, La.
The storm has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center’s Facebook page with “significant flash flooding” expected during the evening of Sept. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England states.
Power outages are affecting about one million people, and Landreth-Everitt’s email said that cell phone, water and sewer service is down in many areas. It could be weeks before it’s fully restored. Businesses and homes have been destroyed.
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By “Monday night, more than 1,500 people sought refuge in some 38 Red Cross and community shelters across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas,” according to a news release from the Red Cross. “Some 450 trained Red Cross workers are on the ground now with hundreds more traveling from all over the country to help. With the help of partners, the Red Cross has already provided more than 7,000 meals and snacks. Mobile kitchens capable of preparing tens of thousands of meals are being set up now with the help of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the coming days, dozens of Red Cross emergency response vehicles will begin bringing food and relief supplies to people across the region.”
Landreth-Everitt said volunteers will put in long days while they are deployed. She expected to be in the field all day Wednesday. Volunteers rotate through about two weeks at a time, and it could be an extended effort after Ida.
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“I feel like this is going to be a long road to recovery for many,” her email said.
She said people who want to help can volunteer for the Red Cross, donate to the disaster relief efforts and give blood.
For ways to help visit the Red Cross website, redcross.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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