Northeast Ohio volunteers arrive in Florida ahead of Idalia

TAMPA, Fla. – – Volunteers with the Northern Ohio American Red Cross have actually gotten here in Florida to help with victims and those displaced by Idalia.

6 volunteers left Monday for Florida together with an emergency situation response lorry to enable them to access locations made unattainable by the storm.

" The services provided by the Red Cross are essential after a hurricane like this, so it's essential that we are able to reach those individuals as rapidly as possible," stated Christy Peters, local interactions manager for the Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross.

Idalia is anticipated to make landfall as a Category 3 Hurricane with relentless winds over 111 MPH and a storm surge of 15 feet.

Northeast Ohio Red Cross volunteer Mahogany Coward got here in Tampa Monday night and states they've been working continuously setting up shelters and preparing for the storm to hit.

" We never ever understand the number of clients are going to appear. We simply prepare yourself for it to supply the citizens with a safe location," said Coward.

Homeowners are encouraged to follow evacuation orders, some were seen boarding up their homes and filling sandbags Tuesday.

To help first responders, 47 members of the urban rescue and action group Ohio Task Force 1 were triggered and departed early Tuesday early morning, headed for Florida.

" We'll be taken into a hotel which will be our staging place and after that we'll probably be there until the storm goes through enough that they can evaluate for damage," stated Evan Schumann, Ohio TF1 program supervisor.

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After the damage is assessed, he states FEMA will send them to where they are most needed.

Task Force 1 brought a variety of highly trained members together with boats, specialized rescue equipment and scent pets.

"Sometimes cars and trucks need to be examined to see if there's anyone in them since they're stuck in the water," said Schumman.

All of the Ohioans are expected to be in Florida for 2 weeks. The Red Cross volunteers are joining about 400 others from across the nation.

"I leave it in God's hands he sent me to do a great task which's just what I'm here to do," said Coward.

The American Red Cross trusts contributions and volunteers to be able to react to devastating events.