WeatherHurricane

Actions

American Red Cross increasingly responding to weather-related disasters

In-depth look at Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in southwest Florida
Posted

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Fort Myers Beach resident Brian Wetzel can't wash away the memory or dry up the pain since Hurricane Ian.

"I stayed in my house," he said. "There was a lot of water that came in."

Rescue crews eventually forced Wetzel to evacuate his rented home of more than 10 years, and he hasn't been back since.

"I only took what I could fit in two garbage bags," Wetzel told WPTV.

Wetzel bounced between multiple shelters in the months following Hurricane Ian. He also lived in a tent for a short period of time before a trailer issued by the state of Florida came through as an option.

Brian Wetzel speaks with Ashley Glass about how he was forced to evacuate from his home during Hurricane Ian
Brian Wetzel speaks with WPTV's Ashley Glass about how he was forced to evacuate from his home on Florida's Gulf Coast during Hurricane Ian. He hasn't been back since, instead living in a trailer provided by the state of Florida.

WPTV asked Jill Palmer, American Red Cross executive director covering Florida's southern Gulf Coast, how many people in the Fort Myers area are having an experience similar to Wetzel.

"We have about 800 shelter-resident transition clients," Palmer said.

TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide

In addition, Palmer said, there is a two-year commitment by the American Red Cross to spend all $94 million raised by the nonprofit on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.

"There is donor fatigue when it comes to disasters," Palmer said. "With these repeated disasters, back-to-back-to-back, it becomes background noise."

Palmer said the American Red Cross is increasingly responding to weather-related disasters. By comparison, Palmer said, in the 1980s, the American Red Cross responded to an average of three weather-related disasters per year worth $1 billion each. In the last five years, Palmer said, that figure has climbed to 18.

Average of 18 Weather-Related Disasters A Year, American Red Cross

Palmer also said Lee County, encompassing Fort Myers Beach, just received one of 10 designations in the country, paving the way for indefinite support from the American Red Cross. The area's vulnerability to natural disasters is one factor leading to that designation.

That lasting support, coupled with the dedication of Red Cross volunteers, brings hope to many who call Fort Myers Beach home.

Want to volunteer with the American Red Cross? Here's how to get involved.

WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters Sponsored By: Manatee Lagoon

About WPTV NewsChannel 5

Join WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters team

Jonathan Diego

Hurricane

Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne: 20 Years Later

JAMES_SURF_FORECAST_webgraphic.png

Surfing Blog

Surf Forecast: More swell coming

James Wieland

2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.