Seattle businesses help Florida residents during Hurricane Ian

As of Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Ian has flooded communities in Florida. The U.S. Coast Guard has reportedly rescued residents trapped on their roofs, millions are without power, and the death toll is rising.

Seattle-area businesses are trying to help how they can.

Live Updates: Hurricane Ian

Bloodworks Northwest provides blood to numerous hospitals throughout the Pacific Northwest region – and now in Florida, too. The medical firm says it sent an emergency shipment of Type O blood to centers in Florida.

Dr. Kirsten Alcorn, a co-chief medical officer with Bloodworks Northwest, said local blood collections in Florida have slowed down as gale-force winds and torrential rains have devastated portions of the state.

“Blood center staff and everyone else has really been focused on hunkering down for safety,” she said.

Combined with the higher demand from hospitals filling with people potentially injured from the storm, Alcorn said blood supply levels are at risk.

She said her company is just one of many around the country shipping blood to those in the hurricane’s wake.

The medical firm said it desperately needs more donors and is asking people in the Puget Sound region to lend an arm.

Expedia, whose headquarters now sits on 40 acres facing Elliot Bay, is accommodating people in Florida searching for shelter.

The vacation booking company is also working with Florida’s tourism agency to help those in the hurricane’s path find shelter.

If you’re in Florida, its website now offers real-time hotel availability and help with lodging.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the company in an address, stating it is working with the state’s tourism agency to offer real-time hotel availability and help with lodging on its website.

Is your business sending aid to Florida? We want to know. E-mail the author at sacampbell@bonneville.com

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