Red cross volunteers give time to help hurricane victims

The rain continued in southeastern North Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Rocky Point, N.C. as customers waiting in line at the local grocery store get pelted during a deluge from Tropical Storm Florence. (Chuck Liddy/The News & Observer via AP)
The rain continued in southeastern North Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Rocky Point, N.C. as customers waiting in line at the local grocery store get pelted during a deluge from Tropical Storm Florence. (Chuck Liddy/The News & Observer via AP)

It's not the first hurricane that Anita Davis has been sent to by the Central and Northern Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross, but each time she is amazed at the power of Mother Nature.

Anita, along with Joleen Davis (no relation), were dispatched last week to lend aid to those who would be affected by Hurricane Florence.

"Ironically we're currently stationed in Florence, South Carolina, which is also in Florence County," Anita said Sunday afternoon. Florence, South Carolina, is about 80 miles inland from the Atlantic Coast.

She and Joleen, who are from Montgomery City, are in that community with a mobile feeding unit. These are ambulance-like vehicles that allow them to go into hard-hit areas and serve meals. For now, though, they are only being allowed to go to other shelters to help serve.

"There's a tremendous amount of flooding," Anita said. "Shelters are opening and then closing. We were out Saturday night and had to deal with rain coming down sideways. We're glad to get back to our headquarters."

Anita and Joleen were down in Texas for Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and, just like then, the ladies said the flooding and storm surge is the worst part of the storm.

"We're scheduled to stay down here for three weeks," Anita said. "Right now, we can't get to some areas because of the flooding. The Myrtle Beach area has severe damage so we're waiting to go in that direction."

Anita said you can't underestimate the power of water and its ability to wash out roads and bridges.

"Everything looks saturated," she said. "There's no place for the extra water to go."

Anita said the best thing anyone who wants to help those affected by Florence can do is call 1-800 red-cross with a monetary donation.

"It can be funneled in whatever direction it's most needed," she said. "It can be used to purchase things like food or cleaning supplies."

Anita said there's a lot of scared people in the area. Schools are closed up to two weeks so routines are upset.

"It's uncertain times," she said. "People in shelters don't know what their homes will be like when they go back. It's always nice to be able to help and people appreciate it. They're amazed people come so far to help out, but that's what we do."