Oct 08, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS — As recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, preparations are now underway in Florida with another hurricane on the horizon. Indiana residents in the Sunshine State are ready to lock down, evacuate or help out wherever needed. Two Hoosiers – Brooke Willman and her fiancé Charles Murphy - are currently prepping in St. Augustine but also enjoying their time at the beach. “Since the morning, we've had blue skies,” said Willman. “I don't know if it's calm before the storm, but so far so good.” The couple is in town for a friend's wedding, which was supposed to be on Wednesday. Due to Milton's impending arrival, the ceremony got pushed up to Tuesday. “I think it was supposed to be like a 65-person wedding, or something around that range, so definitely very intimate, but a lot of people have had to cancel flights because of obvious reasons,” said Willman. “I think we're now down to around like 25 people.” While the two are on the opposite coast of landfall, the current path for the Category 5 hurricane is heading straight towards them. “Experts are saying that Hurricane Milton could have the potential to be one of the most devastating storms to hit the west coast of Florida,” said Janie Bohlmann, communications manager for the American Red Cross Indiana Region. According to the American Red Cross, over 800 volunteers are already standing by in Florida, with 50 boots on the ground from our region. “We've also sent six of our emergency response vehicles,” said Bohlmann. “These are used to distribute food, snacks, water and ready-to-go and eat hot meals to people who have been affected.” While not everyone can deploy to these areas of devastation, the nonprofit said they also need volunteers here at home, along with financial and blood donations to keep operations running. The Red Cross adds several organizations. Including them are doing everything they can to help those in need. “As information that is incorrect is spread, it's causing confusion and really hurting those who have been impacted by these storms,” said Bohlmann. Indiana Task Force 1 also shifted efforts from the Carolinas to the Gulf Coast as of today. As for Brooke and her fiancé, they’re planning to shelter in place with enough food and water to get them through, until their flight back home on Saturday.
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