Orlando Red Cross Volunteers Head to Panhandle for Isaias

Orlando-area volunteers with the American Red Cross of North Central Florida deployed to the Florida Panhandle as Hurricane Isaias approached. The Red Cross mobilized 20 to 30 volunteers from Orlando, with dozens more on standby, to support areas anticipating the greatest need. Central Florida is not expected to face a direct impact.

Pamela Harris, a volunteer since 2003 who recently aided tornado victims in Indiana, completed pre-deployment paperwork Thursday at the Red Cross headquarters on North Bumby Avenue in Orlando. Harris, preparing for her 53rd deployment, stated, "We have people who lose everything. So, I’m always willing to step in and help." Her bags are packed as she awaits landfall to determine her assignment in Northwest Florida, potentially for two weeks.

State preparations are underway. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state’s Emergency Operations Center activated to Level One, signifying a full-scale operation. Jared Perdue of the Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed twice-daily calls with all 67 counties, focusing on the Panhandle, where generators and fuel have been pre-positioned. The state activated 5,000 National Guard members and staged aircraft and 20 maritime vessels for potential search and rescue.

Utility providers are also preparing. Duke Energy Florida storm director Todd Fountain said crews are ready to restore power when safe. Florida Power and Light mobilized approximately 12,000 restoration workers and prepared 16 staging sites, urging customers to finalize preparations, anticipate outages, and prioritize safety.

The Florida Department of Transportation suspended tolls in parts of Northwest Florida on Thursday and pre-staged 150 pieces of heavy equipment, 360 generators, and 40 pumps.