NJ Red Cross volunteers head south ahead of Hurricane Florence

<p>As Hurricane Florence continues its track toward the Carolinas, volunteers with the New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross are making their way south to lend their services.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 12, 2018, 7:56 PM

Updated 2,052 days ago

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As Hurricane Florence continues its track toward the Carolinas, volunteers with the New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross are making their way south to lend their services.
The powerful storm has already prompted evacuations and state of emergencies as it approaches the coastline.
Red Cross volunteers Vince Giammusso and Steve Chico prepared to depart for the area at the Red Cross station in Fairfield Wednesday morning. They will be stationed in Raleigh as they wait to respond to whatever disaster the storm may bring.
“I'm just hoping the devastation won't be as bad as everyone thinks it's going to be, because I've seen too much devastation through these hurricanes. People have lost everything. Their livelihood. Their homes. It's devastating for me to see. That’s why I do what I do,” Giammusso says.
The volunteers packed containers full of food and water to bring to the people who may be impacted by the storm.
"We are set up to do feeding,” says Giammusso, “These [containers] are going to provide hot meals for everyone."
Giammusso tells News 12 New Jersey that he has been volunteering for the Red Cross for eight years and has seen all sorts of disasters. But he says that what sticks out in his mind the most is the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey.
“I'm trying to prep myself for the destruction I know I'm about to see but I'm very emotional,” he says.
Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer Rodrick Bowman says that Hurricane Florence is a dangerous storm and says that it is expected to grow and get stronger.
The volunteers say that they hope to be in Raleigh by Wednesday evening.


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