Red Cross deploys volunteers to Hawaii for flood relief

Hawaii is experiencing its worst flooding in over two decades as historic 'Kona lows' winter storms have caused catastrophic damage across the islands.

“News Summary: The American Red Cross is helping around the clock in Hawaii where thousands of people are dealing with catastrophic flooding brought on by days of heavy rain, the result of a series of Kona Low storms”

American Red Cross

The disaster has displaced thousands of residents and forced widespread evacuations as emergency responders work to address the unprecedented flooding conditions.

American Red Cross

Henderson resident Sherriel Weithers represents the local deployment effort, joining more than 100 Red Cross disaster workers on the ground.

The storms have brought more than a foot of rain in some communities, creating conditions that officials describe as Hawaii's most severe flooding in recent memory.

The flooding has caused widespread destruction with homes torn from their foundations, extensive road damage, and hundreds of water rescues across Hawaii's affected communities.

Oahu and the capital city Honolulu have been hit particularly hard, with 5,500 people forced to evacuate and 230 people rescued from rising floodwaters over the weekend.

Las Vegas Review-Journal

The impact extends to Maui where evacuation advisories have been issued for some Lahaina neighborhoods - areas that were previously devastated by the massive wildfire that destroyed much of Lahaina in 2023.

A hospital was also forced to evacuate due to extensive damage, highlighting the severity of the infrastructure impact from this natural disaster.

The American Red Cross has mounted a comprehensive two-week disaster response operation, establishing 18 shelters that are currently housing 565 people affected by the flooding.

“News Summary: The American Red Cross is helping around the clock in Hawaii where thousands of people are dealing with catastrophic flooding brought on by days of heavy rain, the result of a series of Kona Low storms”

Redcross

As many as 130 disaster-trained Red Cross volunteers are responding both in-person and virtually, with the majority coming from the local Hawaii area.

The relief efforts focus on providing essential services including sheltering, feeding, and emotional comfort to displaced residents.

Teams are conducting damage assessments and distributing emergency supplies as weather conditions improve, ensuring a coordinated approach to both immediate relief and long-term recovery needs.

Red Cross shelters are operating with an inclusive policy, open to everyone in need regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or citizenship status.

All disaster assistance is provided free of charge, and shelter staff do not require identification - only asking for names and previous addresses to register guests.

American Red Cross

The facilities accommodate service animals and pets comfortably, though pets may sometimes need to be housed separately with local partner support.

Affected individuals are encouraged to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, comfort items, and important documents if possible.

The Red Cross works to provide comprehensive support to all displaced residents throughout the recovery process.

The public can support the Hawaii flood relief efforts through multiple donation channels including online contributions at redcross.org, phone donations to 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

“A disaster relief volunteer from the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada deployed to Hawaii over the weekend to help communities affected by historic flooding”

Las Vegas Review-Journal

These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help communities recover from disasters both large and small across the country.

Las Vegas Review-Journal

The organization emphasizes that assistance extends beyond overnight shelter stays, with shelters offering hot meals, phone charging services, and other support to anyone affected.

As Rachel Flanigan, executive director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada chapter, noted, the storms have left a profound impact on Hawaii's people.

The Red Cross remains committed to staying by affected communities' sides in the weeks and months ahead to facilitate recovery and rebuilding efforts.