NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Losing contact with friends and family due to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian can be unsettling, experts say.
At the American Red Cross in Nashville, Debra Fisher has been in contact with volunteers on the ground in Florida.
“It’s the worst disaster they’ve ever seen,” Fisher said. “One of the volunteers I was talking to earlier today told me that a house had just exploded from the waters.”
Across the country, people are checking their phones, waiting for family and friends to confirm they are okay.
“The devastation there, and we urge that no one try to drive there to look for anyone, unless you are going to help a group that has already been organized to make relief efforts after the hurricane,” Fisher said.
Debra said worried people can call 311, or the American Red Cross, to check if a loved one has been to a shelter.
“There were over 33,000 people housed yesterday,” Fisher said.
Additionally, Comcast has internet access points open to the public dotted around the disaster areas. This allowed some survivors to pass on messages.
For now, they urge everyone to let first responders do their job. “It’s very dangerous for you to be gawked, it’s very dangerous for you to be reunited with family and friends right now,” Fisher said.
Debra volunteered during Hurricane Katrina, so she knows firsthand that places like Lee County have a long way to go.
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