WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – As Florida goes into recovery from Hurricane Milton’s landfall, Kansas Red Cross volunteers are responding, and some are gearing up for a long stay as the state continues its recovery from Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.
Mark Roberts has been in Florida since before Helene made landfall. He says both storms caused catastrophic damage, and his focus is on the thousands of Floridians sheltering.
“Now we’re getting ready to replenish the 125 shelters with 90,000 people in them throughout the state. So, we’re ready to move and strictly worried about sheltering and feeding those that have been displaced,” said Roberts.
Tens of thousands of people were sheltering overnight as Milton made landfall. Roberts, who is stationed in Tallahassee, says he is ready to help and go to other parts of the state.
“My job is to get all the trucks. And right now, we probably have 400 rental cars on the job and 50 trucks. And now we’re starting over and probably going to double that in the next few days. So we’re being quite busy, and we’re going to get busier,” said Roberts.
Strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges destroyed buildings and people needing immediate help.
“We’ve got people coming in all over Miami, and Orlando will be open soon, and Tallahassee,” said Roberts.
Robert says he is now focusing on recovery and relief efforts, supporting the shelters and getting food for those whose lives have been uprooted.
“It’s so many people that are displaced. You can’t walk away from them. And so that’s just it’s just the way it is. And we’re going to be here a long time,” said Roberts.
Roberts knows the recovery in Florida will be long, and he’s planning to spend a lot of time there. He has already been in the state since before Helene made landfall.
“My wife is there in Maize, and she’s holding down the fort. And so she’s used to me being gone. Well, she accepts it, but I look forward to coming back and seeing her for a while,” said Roberts.
He says he remains focused on helping those in Florida.
“We’re just here. We’re getting it done,” said Roberts.
For those who are interested in helping hurricane victims, Kansans in Wichita and Cowley County are collecting supplies to take to North Carolina. KSN’s parent company, Nexstar, has also partnered with the American Red Cross to collect donations.
