Southern California Red Cross volunteers head to aid Harvey storm victims
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Dozens of Red Cross volunteers from Southern California are getting ready to fly to Texas to help victims there.
Red Cross volunteer John Luong Sunday night was packing the essential items he'll need while he's in Texas for two weeks: clothing, blankets and an air mattress.
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It will be Luong's 28th time responding to a disaster.
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"Electricity isn't as sporadic as, you know, water, so packing is really the essential in order to make yourself self-sufficient so that we're able to help others," he said.
He'll join at least 30 other Red Cross volunteers from the Los Angeles chapter.
Many people in Texas have lost everything after Hurricane Harvey and the unbelievable rainfall and extreme flooding.
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Residents who evacuated their homes that are inundated with water are getting food, shelter and emotional support from the Red Cross. Countless others will need somewhere to turn in the days ahead.
"When I interact with clients, you see that smile on their face when you hand them that hot meal or that warm blanket to provide that comfort for them, a safe place to stay. The gratitude from the affected clients or disaster victims is just overwhelming," he said.
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Luong is flying Tuesday morning on Southwest Airlines, one of several airlines working with the Red Cross to fly volunteers to Texas for free.
