Red Cross Volunteers Leave Santa Cruz County for the East Coast

American Red Cross volunteers from the Bay Area have headed to the East Coast to assist with disaster relief efforts from Hurricane Irene, now downgraded to a tropical storm.

Hurricane Irene, with its 100-mph winds and heavy rains, is expected to be the largest storm to hit the East Coast in more than 70 years, Red Cross officials said.

Four volunteers from the Santa Cruz County chapter of the Red Cross are joining four volunteers from Alameda, San Mateo and Solano counties as they travel to North Carolina, New York and New England. Volunteers from the Silicon Valley chapter will also be making the trip.

These trained local disaster volunteers will help local relief organizations open shelters and mobilize equipment, according to the Red Cross.

Red Cross officials said that dozens more highly trained Bay Area
volunteers are on standby, ready to leave for the East Coast on short notice for three-week assignments.

Bay City News Service