In this episode, Meg sits down with Molly Schmidt, CEO of the Pacific Islands Region for the American Red Cross, to discuss the recent Kona Low storms that caused widespread flooding across Hawaii. Molly shares how the Red Cross responds in times of crisis—from opening 18 shelters serving 660 people and 3200 meals across Hawaii to offering financial assistance and supporting long-term recovery.
Molly also teaches us how community members can get involved as volunteers, what disaster preparedness really looks like (especially for kūpuna), and why having a plan in place can make all the difference when emergencies strike.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- How the Red Cross responds immediately after a disaster
- What happens inside emergency shelters (and what's provided)
- How the Red Cross transitions from emergency response to recovery
- How the Red Cross assesses damage and requests for financial assistance
- How to prepare yourself and your loved ones before disaster strikes
- What to include in your emergency "go bag"
How to Get Involved:
- Volunteer or donate: redcross.org/hawaii
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