COLUMBIA, S.C. — As another day passes after the storm, more help is being offered up from non-profits opening emergency food pantries, restaurants offering free meals and the Red Cross stepping in to do their part.
Each day post-Hurricane Helene, more and more volunteers from the Red Cross are being assigned to do as duty calls.
As of right now, Red Cross leaders said they're managing shelters in Greenwood, Simpsonville and Easley, and are supporting shelters like in Newberry and Laurens.
The Red Cross said it's up to state emergency management leaders to decide whether or not Red Cross needs to set up shop or staff a shelter.
"Right now we're in a process of deploying thousands of people into the region from across the country to help staff that up. And you'll see some areas where they may close a shelter because the need isn't there and then you'll see other areas where they'll open up a shelter and so we may move our volunteer staff over to that site. We've got 1,000 volunteers on the ground across the Hurricane Helene footprint," said Michael Hesbach, Red Cross regional chief executive officer.
The focus at the moment is mass care, which includes feeding and sheltering. Red Cross said it won't be until a little further down the road that they send out damage assessment teams.
The international non-profit said when they're called to set up a shelter, it often happens the same day it's needed. They're currently in the process of adding more resources and staff to Red Cross shelters in North Carolina.
"When we talk about hurricane preparedness and storm preparedness, we talk about getting a kit, making a plan and staying informed. At this point we're in the stay informed phase," Hesbach said.
He said that means listening to local leaders about resources and distribution sites. Overall, residents in the Midlands said they're satisfied with the way South Carolina has responded to the storm so far.
"In terms of shelters, I think what we have is good, but you could always use more and it never hurts to have more," David Lofgren, local resident said.
The Red Cross also provides a disaster hotline, mental health services, nursing services, family reunification efforts and spiritual care. That disaster hotline number is available 24/7. It's 1-800-733-2767.