As millions brace for Hurricane Matthew‘s impact in Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica, Team Rubicon is monitoring its track to learn if our assistance may be needed as the Category 4 hurricane has sustained winds of over 140 mph and is expected to bring serious flash floods and mudslides, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In the U.S., Northeast counties of Iowa endured heavy rainfall and the communities of Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids experienced flooding as rivers crested and levees collapsed. As waters recede, Region VII is working with local partners and authorities to plug in with the ongoing flood relief effort.
Region V launched two responses as a result of flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin:
- 18 members deployed on Operation Buckman Grit in Waseca County, MN, helping homeowners quickly recover from flooding.
- 20 members deployed on Operation Bad Ax in Vernon County, WI, assisting the community of Viroqua.
Members are currently deployed on Operation Salton Sink where Team Rubicon, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Imperial Irrigation District have teamed up to undertake a first of its kind restoration project in the Red Hill Bay, a dry playa in the footprint of the shrinking sea in Southern California.
And in northern Greece, over 95 members have raised their hand to deploy on Operation Hermes to support a medical clinic at a refugee camp for those displaced by conflict in the Middle East. Teams of medical professionals and tech specialists continue to deploy on two-week rotations to support the ongoing needs for primary care.
Those who wish to help communities affected by disasters can make a donation or sign up to join the team.
