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Local Red Cross Volunteers Ready To Aid Hurricane Victims

The American Red Cross has hundreds of disaster workers headed to or already in the southeastern U.S., ready to help residents cope with whatever destruction is brought by Hurricane Matthew.

One of those  workers is Sarah Perkins of Pittsford, a longtime volunteer with the Red Cross. 

Her resume includes stints with the Marines and law enforcement, and she says she has developed skills that help her organize the disaster assessment she and her teams will be working on in Florida after the storm passes.

Perkins has already been to a half-dozen other disasters so far this year, and she says he's glad to be of service.

“I have a skill set that can be put to use by the Red Cross. When people need help, what an honor it is to be able to come in and represent the red cross, be the face of the red cross for those in need and let them know that help is on the way," Perkins told WXXI News.

There are a number of people with Rochester connections in Florida waiting out the storm, including April Lockaby, who is from Irondequoit, but now lives in Port Saint John, Florida, not far from Cape Canaveral on the east coast.

She and her family will remain at their house during the storm, and while they are concerned, Lockaby says they are prepared.

“It appears that it’s eye is going to land right off  of the coast, closest to us, so it is a little scary, but we have the family together to support one another and I think together we’ll be able to keep each other strong.”

Lockaby says her family has boarded up windows and stored enough water and other goods for several days if the power goes out.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.