CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Florida is bracing for another impactful storm, this time Hurricane Milton---which has strengthened back into a Category 5 hurricane. Milton again becomes Category 5 hurricane as residents flee Tampa Bay region From the local chapter of the American Red Cross to the Salvation Army--they are providing life-saving aid ahead of a potentially devastating weather event. Courtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional Headquarters "Several years ago we had Hurricane Harvey, and then Hurricane Michael, and then Hurricane Maria," says Emily Mew, Director of The Salvation Army, MA Division Emergency Disaster Services. "It was similar in that so many people had to be deployed, but this, unfortunately, is hitting the same area--which is extremely devastating." Humanitarian organizations have only just begun picking up the pieces after Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeast. Now Hurricane Milton threatens the region as it barrels towards Florida--as many there brace for impact. Massachusetts volunteers from the Salvation Army have been stationed in the southern states hit hardest by Helene, providing hundreds of thousands of warm meals and other much-needed resources and they are ready to answer the call again. "The Salvation Army focuses on feeding, hydration, and emotional care," Mew adds. "We will be sending two full teams over the course of the week to two weeks." Massachusetts Red Cross volunteers have also been working around the clock to help support survivors of Helene, and preparing for Milton. Courtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional HeadquartersCourtesy of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional Headquarters The Central-Western Massachusetts chapter sent out an emergency response vehicle from Springfield just last week, carrying meals, water, and critical relief supplies. But what they need now more than ever are volunteers. Executive Director of the Central-Western Massachusetts chapter Nia Renniz told 22News, "We have folks here on the ground---but we have those needs nationally. We will be in North Carolina, in Georgia, in those areas of Florida for a long time to help with recovery. We've really never seen anything like this." As storms become stronger and more frequent, both organizations say they must adapt to be able to provide life-saving aid for the countless number of people who are left with nothing. Local News Headlines Mega millions tickets to increase from $2 to $5, starting in April 2025 Local lawmakers looking to strengthen the trade relationship between Canada and Massachusetts Devin Sheehan received 66th Rohan Award Behavioral Health Network looking to fill roles within their residential services WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.