Hawaiʻi Volunteers Ready if Needed in Aftermath of Oklahoma Tornado

Red Cross Volunteers. Courtesy file photo, Maui Red Cross.

By Wendy Osher

Local volunteers with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross are on alert and are ready to be deployed if requested in the wake of Monday’s deadly tornadoes in Okahoma, agency officials said.

“Here in Hawaiʻi, our thoughts and sympathy are with all those impacted by these tornadoes,” said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross in an agency issued press release.

Matayoshi issued information on how Hawaiʻi residents can assist with the rescue and recovery effort.

Those who would like to help people affected by disasters including tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org; by calling 1-800-RED CROSS; or by or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The donations help provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by a variety of disasters across the nation.

The American Red Cross in the immediate region is providing shelters, food, water and supplies to affected residents. Specialized Red Cross disaster teams will continue to assist in the recovery effort in the weeks to come, agency officials said.

As of today, the Red Cross reportedly deployed nearly 30 emergency response vehicles for the distribution of food and relief supplies.