Red Cross Volunteers Return to Guam After Second Typhoon

When Deb Blaze heard Guam needed help again, she didn't think twice about volunteering. The Fresno resident had spent months helping islands recover from Typhoon Sinlaku in April, and now Super Typhoon Bavi was bringing 180 mph winds to communities still living under makeshift roofs.

"I know these people by name," Deb said as she prepared to deploy for the second time in three months. "Most of us who deployed then would return at the drop of a hat."

The American Red Cross rushed volunteers from across the country to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as Bavi approached. They joined local volunteers already on the ground, working with officials to prepare shelters and supplies before the storm hit. After Bavi passes, teams expect to find significant wind, flooding, and landslide damage, especially on the islands of Rota and Tinian.

The timing couldn't be worse. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers had already spent more than 80 days helping these islands recover from Sinlaku just weeks ago. Many residents were still in temporary shelters when they had to evacuate again for Bavi.

For Paul Chartier, this will be his first Pacific deployment after volunteering for a year and a half. The best advice he received was simple: "lock arms with the people from Guam and Saipan." By partnering with local communities, the Red Cross can move resources quickly to where they're needed most.

Every volunteer has their own reason for showing up. Rob Holder remembers his family's experience during Hurricane Katrina and wants to help another community recover. Linda Scheuermann from Pennsylvania loves bringing comfort to people on their worst days. Leroy Bersley is taking his lifetime of volunteer experience on his very first deployment.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Back-to-back disasters test more than emergency response systems. They test the human spirit and reveal the power of showing up again and again. When communities don't have time to recover between storms, volunteers become the bridge between crisis and hope.

All volunteers receive cultural awareness training before arriving, ensuring they serve with care and consideration for local traditions. The goal, as Linda put it, is bringing "different personalities and skill sets working together to serve our residents with compassion and care."

The Hawaiian Islands face similar risks this El Niño season, and officials are urging residents to prepare emergency go-bags and evacuation plans now.

These volunteers prove that compassion doesn't have expiration dates, and neither does the commitment to help communities rebuild.

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