More than one million people along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Florida are without power today as remnants of Hurricane Matthew linger well after the storm dissipated off the Atlantic coast over the weekend. Dangerous conditions remain, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina, as rivers swell from a foot or more of rainfall, and aren’t expected to crest until later in the week.
“Matthew isn’t done with us yet. In North Carolina, the storm is causing deadly flooding and we have safe shelters open where conditions permit,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “Our first priority is keeping people safe. We anticipate flooding may continue for days in the Carolinas and we are working with the entire response community to make sure everyone safely gets the help they need.”
The American Red Cross is working closely with the entire response community, including our government and community partners, to operate emergency shelters and coordinate readiness and response efforts to provide lifesaving relief to those in need.
Situational Update:
- Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia before it was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Sunday and headed east over the Atlantic.
- Bands of heavy rainfall have caused record-breaking and life-threatening flooding in parts of North Carolina.
- In Lumberton, NC, a levee broke on Sunday night and crews scrambled to rescue 1,500 people. Most of them were in knee deep water, but there were also people on rooftops waiting for boats or helicopters.
- President Obama has signed disaster declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Domestic Response:
Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the United States, Red Cross and community shelters have provided nearly 70,000 overnight stays.
This massive sheltering effort has provided nearly as many overnight stays in shelters as after Superstorm Sandy.
In total, the Red Cross has mobilized:
- More than 3,000 disaster workers,
- 149 response vehicles—almost half of our fleet, and
- 100 trailers filled with water, ready-to-eat meals, shelter and kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more.
- More assistance is being mobilized now.
- On Monday morning nearly 7,000 people woke up in 156 Red Cross and community emergency shelters across five states:
- In North Carolina, 72 shelters were open Sunday night with more than 1,850 people. The Red Cross has positioned more than 400 workers, 17 response vehicles and 15 trailer loads of supplies in the state.
- In South Carolina, 41 shelters were open Sunday night with 1,780 people. The Red Cross has positioned more than 900 workers, 33 response vehicles and 18 trailer loads of supplies in the state.
- In Georgia, 19 shelters were open Sunday night with 2,830 people. The Red Cross has positioned more than 500 workers, 39 response vehicles and 7 trailer loads of supplies in the state.
- In Florida, many people have returned home, but Sunday night there were still 21 shelters open with more than 440 people seeking refuge. The Red Cross has positioned more than 1,300 workers, 60 response vehicles and 60 trailer loads of supplies in the state.
- In Virginia, there were 60 people in 3 shelters Sunday night.
- Disaster teams are working with government officials, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and community partners to coordinate response efforts.
Safety Messaging
In North Carolina and South Carolina, severe flooding is a major concern now and in the coming days. Please visit the Flood Safety page on the Red Cross website for a comprehensive list of safety and preparedness information, and follow the below instructions if you are impacted by severe flooding:
Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS)
- When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
- If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
You can also stay informed by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App which puts real time information and hurricane safety tips as your fingertips. The Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or going to redcross.org/apps.
Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean
As areas become safe to travel and the remnants of the storm pass, assessments are underway in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. It is clear at this point that Haiti is the most impacted with the greatest loss of life and damage to infrastructure.
Haiti Situational Update:
- As roads are being cleared and accessibility improves, the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations are now able to reach affected remote communities to assess the residents’ needs and provide assistance.
- Assessment teams and emergency supplies were prepositioned all over the country prior to the hurricane. Assessments are now underway as well as distribution of relief supplies, including hygiene kits, kitchen (cooking) kits, and cholera-prevention kits.
- Basic infrastructure such as communication systems, water systems and electricity are highly damaged and non-functional in some locations. Major needs include shelter, clean water, sanitation and health concerns.
- Of immediate concern is the risk of water-borne illnesses, particularly cholera.
- The International Federation of the Red Cross and international community are mobilizing resources but access and communications is very difficult at this time.
American Red Cross Response:
- The American Red Cross has a very strong presence in Haiti and will be fully supporting the Haitian Red Cross.
- More than 200 American Red Cross staff are in Haiti, about 80 percent of whom are Haitian nationals.
- In addition, the American Red Cross has deployed an additional six Disaster Response Specialists to assist the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Haitian Red Cross and ARC delegation in Haiti with emergency operations.
- The American Red Cross has committed $500,000 to the operation from its disaster funds to support ongoing relief efforts.
- The American Red Cross continues to distribute immediate relief supplies to the more than 61,000 residents housed in shelters.
- An additional 24,000 mosquito nets from the American Red Cross warehouse in Panama is in transit to Haiti to combat mosquito-borne disease.
- The American Red Cross will target cholera-prevention kits to medical facilities to address the increasing threat of cholera due to damaged water systems and the lack of potable water.
- An initial distribution of 1,000 hygiene kits and 600 cholera prevention kits have been distributed.
- The Red Cross is also supporting the operation remotely through information management and Geographic Information System (GIS) support. The team is producing maps of vulnerable populations and damage to infrastructure.
Videos and Articles
Slide Show: Northeast Florida Communities Affected by Hurricane Matthew
Published October 10, 2016
Hurricane Matthew – The Red Cross Responds (video)
October 9, 2016
