Central Oregonians head early to Matthew relief effort

Powerful Hurricane Matthew is expected to make landfall in Florida as early as Thursday morning. While some residents are being urged or ordered to evacuate, others are heading right toward the storm.

“We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best, and hoping that if it doesn’t happen they’ll be able to just come back home,” Central Oregon disaster responder Carrie Sammons said Wednesday.

Four Red Cross volunteers from Bend are making their way across the country to help prepare for Hurricane Matthew.

“We are pre-positioning staff to prepare for this hurricane, knowing that it’s coming in,” Sammons said.

The volunteers are heading to pre-identified sites, where there will be disaster relief trailers. They’re stocked with cots, blankets and other essentials to start a shelter.

Debra Slade, another disaster responder, recently returned from the preparations. She said the resillience she sees in these situtaions is what stands out to her.

“When a person has lost everything and they still have that grace and that courage, and that concern for their neighbors, it’s incredibly impressive,” she said.

To help the relief efforts, visit www.redcross.org.