Friday's storm was the second-deadliest combination of thunderstorms and tornadoes in Florida history. Joe Hawkins and Robert Neil, two seasoned Red Cross relief workers from Greenville are there and amazed at what they see.
"The devastation is extensive," remarks Hawkins who daily drives an Emergency Response Vehicle through Valusia County neighborhoods. Echos of chainsaws, hammers, and dump trucks can still be heard there. Hawkins continues, "Trees are twisted off and ripped from their roots, homes have been blown apart down to the foundation, people are in shock over the damage."
Joe and Robert are working long hours providing a vital life-link to Florida residents. Together, they have delivered nearly 4,000 meals working from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The violent F4 tornado packed winds as high as 165 mph, about 30 mph higher than Hurricane Katrina. Many Florida residents without homes today say they never felt a breeze the night the storms ravaged the state. The Red Cross estimates that over 2000 homes received major or minor structural damage, or were destroyed completely totaling near $70 million dollars in damage thus far.
The need for Red Cross services continues as a curfew is still in effect for Florida residents in storm damaged areas. Progress Energy and Sumter Electric Co-op have restored power to the homes that can safely receive electricity. "We expect to be here until next weekend," states Hawkins, "but as long as there is a need, we will remain."
Joe and Robert are two of the 434 "Red Crossers" that responded to Florida. They represent some of the finest citizens the Upstate has to offer. They are truly modern day heroes.
The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina serves Greenville, Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, and Pickens Counties.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment