After Hurricane Dorian devasted the Bahamas over the weekend, Georgia and South Carolina were bracing for the slow-moving Category 2 storm Tuesday.

As the East Coast prepares to deal with Dorian, we’re preparing a list of ways you can help those affected by the hurricane.

Here are three ways you can help support people (and pets) whose lives may get turned upside down.

Support the Red Cross

Donations to the Red Cross allow the organization to respond to and recover from Hurricane Dorian, said Executive Director of American Red Cross for Southeast Tennessee Julia Wright.

Contributions help cover food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and recovery planning, she said.

Ways to donate:

Call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Visit redcross.org.

Give blood

There’s already a summer blood shortage that means the Red Cross has an “emergency need” for donations + emergencies like this don’t help.

You can donate blood in Chattanooga through Blood Assurance. Find your nearest donation spot.

The American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee is also hosting an upcoming blood drive.

📆 Friday, Sept. 13 from 12-6 p.m.
📍 4115 South Access Road
ℹ️ Schedule an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

For Hurricane Dorian, the Red Cross has pre-positioned blood products and stocked hospitals to capacity in areas of the Southeast likely to be impacted by the storm over the upcoming days. The organization is prepared to send more blood products (like plasma) as needed, Wright also said.

Know about the resources

Maybe spreading the word about how others can contribute or get help is your offering. But, first, you have to know what resources are available.

Local Airbnb hosts are providing free stays to evacuees.
Chattanooga attractions are also offering discounts to evacuees to help lift spirits.
Locally, the Humane Educational Society + McKamey Animal Shelter have historically helped animals displaced by disasters. If you have pet-related questions or want to volunteer to help, start there.
More ideas about how to help

DYK: The American Red Cross of Tennessee sent 50 volunteers in preparation for Hurricane Dorian + five of those were from the Southeast Tennessee chapter. EPB also sent five contractor crews — a total of 18 people — who will help people get power back asap. The EPB crews have reported for duty in Tampa and Lake City Florida.

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