MIAMI — Seeing the effects of Hurricane Erin as the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and as peak season threatens, the American Red Cross, South Florida Region, is working behind the scenes to make sure people don’t have to face the worst alone.

“At the Red Cross we never stop preparing for disasters because we know they can happen anytime, anywhere,” said Monica Rusconi, Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross South Florida Region. “It’s critical that people make their preparations too. Large disasters are occurring almost continuously, and it only takes one to change someone’s life forever.”

To prepare for hurricanes, the Red Cross focuses on coordinating response plans and readying both volunteers and supplies. For example, the Red Cross coordinates closely with government officials and community partners to make sure people will have access to safe shelter, food and water, and critical relief supplies when needed. We’re also actively recruiting and training volunteers that will be ready to step up and help their neighbors. And finally, we’re checking that our local response vehicles and warehouses are stocked and ready to go if needed.

In South Florida, we are hitting preparedness head on by hosting community preparedness events, attending various community events, training our volunteer workforce in several capacities, prepositioning supplies at our warehouses, collaborating with community partners to identify potential shelter facilities and building capacity of our shelter volunteers.

Get ready!

Plan to evacuate or to shelter safely at home. The evacuation plan should include knowing where to go, how to get there, and where to stay. The stay-at-home plan should focus on gathering the right supplies to live safely without power, water, gas, phone or internet for several days.

Sign up for free local government emergency alerts, which will include important information such as evacuation orders in an emergency. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English or Spanish.

How you can help

People look to the Red Cross for assistance every day and our volunteers help and support them on what often is one of their worst days. Because the Red Cross is operating in a state of continuous disaster response, there is an urgent need for new volunteers. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more and sign up for free online training today.

There is a critical need for these key positions:

• Disaster Action Team (DAT): Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.
• Shelter Volunteers: Ensure needs of shelter residents are met and help them access additional services.
• Disaster Health/Mental Health Services: Use your professional skills as a licensed health care provider to help meet people’s immediate needs in emergency shelters and refer them for ongoing, specialized care.