October 13, 2018, Mexico Beach, Florida.

Hurricane Michael inflicted a monstrous amount of damage to this beach-side community as it slammed into the the Florida Panhandle with almost 150 mile per hour winds. Boats were tumbled every-which way on the shore along harbor areas and even well inland. Homes were blown completely off foundations and tossed many yards away, and in many cases homes were reduced to construction rubble. 
_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross} 

October 13, 2018, Mexico Beach, Florida.

Almost every building suffered severe damage. The damage was so extensive the curiosity was the very few homes or businesses that did not have observable severe damage instead of the norm of devastation.

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross} 

October 13, 2018. Bozeman High School Red Cross operated shelter. Panama City, Florida

Danielle’s daughter Harper turned six months old the day Hurricane Michael made landfall. Her family evacuated on October 9, 2018 and has not returned home yet to assess the damage. This is the third hurricane her family has experienced in three years: first in Jacksonville in 2016 and again in Georgia in 2017. “This is way worse” says Danielle. “But it’s a lot easier now that we have somewhere to sleep.” As Red Cross shelter workers bring more jars of baby food to her family’s gathering of cots, she turned to her 3-year old Daughter Makinzy and said “I hope your school’s ok.”
_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross} 

October 13, 2018. Bozeman High School Red Cross operated shelter. Panama City, Florida 

In the days following Hurricane Michael, Red Cross shelter resident Kaila hasn’t returned home. “I know it’s gone. I don’t even need to look.” Kaila and her children, including 1-year-old Corah, are still waiting to hear from other members of her family who were out of town when the hurricane made landfall. She has relied on the comfort provided by Red Cross workers and other residents while she awaits more news. “These people have helped me so much. Made me feel comfortable.” 

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}

October 13, 2018, Red Cross Shelter, Bozeman High School, Panama City, Florida.

Local resident Ollie Lasenberry, comfortably ensconced on her cot in the corner of the shelter, shares her experience with shelter living with American Red Cross volunteer Bob Wallace. Ollie, along with a number of her neighbors who were residing in adjacent areas, came to the shelter on the Monday before the storm ravaged the Florida Panhandle the following Wednesday. “It’s very nice here. The Red Cross got us cots and gives us food. It’s not the greatest food,” said 86-year-old Ollie. “But it’s food and serves what we need.” 

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}

October 14, 2018, Panama City, Florida.

Richard and Carolyn Pellerin receive hot meals from American Red Cross worker James Hogan. After storm water from Hurricane Michael flooded their home, Richard and Carolyn evacuated their apartment and stayed at a shelter until they could return to a dry bed. Not only are they without air conditioning, they are running heaters powered by a generator day and night to dry out their apartment.

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross} 

October 16, Panama City, Florida.

American Red Cross workers Terri Mehling and Mark Edwards load a Red Cross feeding vehicle with hot foods to allow city residents who are without electrical power and water to have a hot meal. The food was prepared in mobile kitchens set up by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. The red Cambro being loaded will keep the food at a safe, hot temperature for many hours.

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}

October 16, 2018, Breakfast Point Red Cross Shelter, Panama City Beach, Florida.

Five-year-old Alejah enjoys her meal while living in the shelter. Alejah, along with her family, found refuge in the Red Cross shelter after their home was destroyed by Hurricane Michael. 
_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross} 

October 16, Panama City, Florida.

Malaisha and her two-year-old daughter Dellakate were delighted to receive hot meals from American Red Cross feeding vehicle. Malaisha and Dellakate walked out to meet the Red Cross vehicle as it circulated through their neighborhood that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael.
_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}

October 16, 2018. Breakfast Point Academy Red Cross operated shelter. Panama City Beach, Florida

Donna, who has undergone several surgeries that require her to breathe through an oxygen concentrator, was staying at a shelter at Rutherford High School when the generator at that location failed. As transportation was being arranged to move residents to the newly opened Red Cross Shelter at Breakfast Point Academy, the battery on her oxygen concentrator ran out of power.

Red Cross worker Chuck Parker was notified of the situation. He had a truck with a 110-volt socket and didn’t hesitate to rush Donna inside, plug in her oxygen concentrator, and turn on the air conditioning.

“He saved my life.”

_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}

October 17, 2018. Tallahassee, Florida.

Kristen, age 11, and her dog Sadie Lady have been at each-other’s side in the days following Hurricane Michael. They have been staying at the Red Cross shelter at Port St. Joe Elementary.
_{Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross}