American Red Cross response to Tropical Storm Debby victims

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. (WDEF)- As Tropical Storm Debby heads over coastal Georgia and into the Carolinas, the Red Cross responds to render aid. 

“The emergency management people we are talking to, they are concerned all the way up into Monday and Tuesday,” said John Mitchell, American Red Cross. “We have shelters from people that responded to last night, and we expect some other shelters to open.” 

The impact of Tropical storm Debby has left severe damage to homes and flooding in the streets. 

The Tropical storm also made landfall in Florida as a hurricane.

Mitchell believes it’s important to help those in need, 

“We look and are very purposeful about trying to look for at risk communities and trying to make sure that if they are underserved and they are dealing with a lot already, some sometimes, one night, can change somebody’s life Unfortunately,” said Mitchell. 

According to the Red Cross, thousands of volunteers responded to those affected by Hurricane Debby. 

Mitchell explains what services the Red Cross is offering to storm victims, 

“The key thing is for us is to offer sheltering, food, emotional support, and spiritual support,” said Mitchell. “Sometimes people just need somebody to talk to and let them know they are not going through this alone.” 

But, through this tragedy, Michell says sharing hope to individuals is what matters. 

 “When you go through something that is devastating and life changing, you just want to feel like there is hope,. I think if you want to know the symbolize of what the Red Cross does initially, is it provides hope, in somebody’s darkest day,” Mitchell concluded.