Red Cross Volunteers Rush to Hawaii and Guam Storm Zones

When disaster strikes twice, heroes show up twice as strong.

Two dangerous storm systems are barreling toward Hawaii and Guam this weekend, threatening destructive winds and catastrophic flooding. The American Red Cross is deploying teams of trained volunteers to both locations, opening emergency shelters and preparing to support residents through the storms and their aftermath.

Hawaii faces its third major storm in just five weeks. The previous late March storms caused devastating flooding across the islands, and the ground is still saturated with water. This new Kona low will bring heavy rain and powerful winds to communities still recovering from the last disaster.

Meanwhile, Guam is bracing for what could become a strong typhoon. The National Weather Service warns the island could see destructive winds and over a foot of rain as the tropical depression strengthens while approaching the U.S. territory.

Red Cross leadership teams and shelter volunteers are traveling to both locations right now. In Hawaii, hundreds of local volunteers who helped during the previous storms are ready to serve again, joined by additional volunteers flying in to help. On Guam, shelters will open in partnership with local education departments before transitioning to local officials after the storm passes.

The deployment includes volunteers from the islands themselves, people who understand their communities and can provide comfort alongside practical support. These volunteers will staff emergency shelters, help families find safe places to stay, and work with local and federal partners to ensure everyone gets the assistance they need.

The Ripple Effect

This response showcases something powerful about volunteer networks. When one community faces disaster, trained volunteers from across the country mobilize to help. The Red Cross Pacific Islands Region Guam Chapter is actively recruiting more community members to join as shelter volunteers, creating a growing network of neighbors helping neighbors.

The organization's Annual Disaster Giving Program, supported by members and corporate partners like Amazon, Bank of America, and American Airlines, ensures funding is ready before disasters strike. This means volunteers can focus on people, not paperwork, when storms hit.

People wanting to help can donate at redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999. Those interested in volunteering can find opportunities at redcross.org/volunteer, joining the hundreds already making a difference in Hawaii and Guam.

Thousands of volunteers are proving that no community faces disaster alone.