WEST ST PAUL, Minn. — To call the past few weeks busy for the American Red Cross here in Minnesota might be a bit of an understatement.
"We started with several hurricanes down south, the most recent being Milton," David Schoeneck with the Minnesota and Dakotas region of the Red Cross, said.
First, Hurricane Helene hit Florida before moving into the Carolinas.
"Helene was wind, but then as it went further north, it became a water event up in North Carolina," Schoeneck said.
Hurricane Milton then made landfall just a few days ago, heading east over Florida. That left damage and devastation, adding to the damage left from tornados that moved through in the days before.
Schoeneck says the Red Cross rates disaster events on a scale of 1-7, with major storms at the high end of that scale.
"Sandy was a seven. Harvey was a seven. We got two of them going right now," Schoeneck said. "I've never seen two of them at the same time simultaneously."
In total, Schoeneck says there have been over 120 people sent to the southeast to help with hurricane relief, along with seven vehicles.
The regional Red Cross is also assisting after a fire destroyed apartments in Minneapolis Thursday, displacing residents.
"We're helping a number of people take care of, have a good, safe place to stay," Schoeneck said. "And food and getting them back on a path of finding housing."
It's a busy time for the Red Cross, but one Schoeneck finds rewarding.
"We don't get paid, but we get paid," he said, smiling. "You help them get back on the road to recovery, and that's something that money can't buy."
Schoeneck says the best way to help is to donate directly to them. For that and more ways to donate to hurricane relief, click here.