October 12, 2018, Red Cross Supported Evacuation Shelter at Bozeman High School, Panama City, Florida. Richard Berndt and his daughter Rebecca Ando, residents of the Panama City area, share their experiences of living for the past three days in an evacuation shelter with American Red Cross volunteer Bob Wallace. When reports came that Hurricane Michael had winds up to 130 miles per hour as it approached the Florida Panhandle, Richard and Rebecca decided they had better head to safety. “The Red Cross crew [in the shelter] has taken care of anything that need to be done,” said Rebecca “They just find a way to do it, and lots of people here need medical attention.” She went on to say that the experience of living in the shelter makes her want to become a Red Cross volunteer. Richard noted that the first day the shelter residents were sort of standoffish. But after the first night, people started pitching in and helping out. “We’ve made friends here,” said Richard.

Photo Credit: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross