Americares Responding to Hurricane Lane

Stamford, Conn. – August 24, 2018 – Americares is responding to Hurricane Lane as Hawaii braces for one of the most powerful storms in decades. Lane, which has slowed from a Category 4 to a Category 2, poured more than 30 inches of rain on parts of Hawaii’s Big Island, unleashing landslides and disastrous flooding. As Lane moves slowly toward the north, forecasts predict its powerful center could come dangerously close to parts of Oahu, Maui, Lanai and Molokai late Friday. Emergency response experts from Americares Stamford, Conn., headquarters will deploy this weekend.

“Hurricane Lane has the potential to be the first major hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in decades,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “We have mobilized an emergency response team to meet health needs in affected communities.”

Americares is in communication with partner organizations in Hawaii and is prepared to deliver emergency medicines and relief supplies in the coming days. Upon arrival, emergency response team members will assess survivors’ health needs and coordinate with local organizations responding to the storm.

Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization has a long history of responding to emergencies in the U.S., including Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Moore, Oklahoma tornado, and the 2018 California wildfires.

The health-focused relief and development organization responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.