One of the things I've seen on various Facebook community pages for Sedalia and Warrensburg is how people can help with the recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. That question will be asked again after Hurricane Milton vacates Florida. Here's one way you can help.

The American Red Cross is attempting to restock critically needed blood products that went uncollected due to Hurricane Helene's ongoing impact in the Southeast. I surmise that the need to restock these blood products will only increase after Hurricane Milton.

Here's what happened: Hurricane Helene and its aftermath have canceled more than 100 blood drives throughout the Southeast, causing thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Blood transfusions are essential for those with urgent medical care needs, and donations in the Southeast are crucial to keeping blood supplies throughout the United States stocked.

The American Red Cross now asks those who can give blood or platelets to do so. They have a variety of blood drives scheduled for October, as well as donation centers in Jefferson City, Columbia, and Springfield. Scheduling a donation or finding a blood drive close to you to donate is easy. Go to redcrossblood.com, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-Red-Cross. Those who donate before the end of October will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email and be automatically entered to win one of three $5,000 Amazon gift cards.

Additionally, the American Red Cross has teams on the ground providing vital relief, such as food, water, shelter, and support, to victims of Hurricane Helene. They'll do the same for those impacted by Hurricane Milton. If you have the means, the Red Cross is asking for monetary donations to help them continue to help those affected by disasters big and small across the country. A gift of any amount will help. You can donate online here, via phone by calling 1-800-Help-Now (1-800-435-7669), or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Local Blood Drives Scheduled for October 2024

Hughesville, October 31, 2024, Northwest High School, 16215 Highway H, 1:00 PM -5:00 PM.
Sedalia, October 18, 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1201 W. Broadway Blvd, Noon - 4:00 PM.
Sedalia, October 24, 2024, The Lamy Building, 108 West Pacific, Noon - 4:00 PM.
Warrensburg, October 15, 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1515 SE State Highway DD, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
Leeton, October 15, 2024, Leeton High School, 500 North Main, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Kansas City, Mo, October 16, 2024, Research Medical Center, 2316 E Meyer Boulevard, 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Warrensburg, October 18, 2024, Missouri Department of Social Services, 505 North Ridgeview Drive, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Kansas City, Mo, October 21, 2024, American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City, 6601 Winchester, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
Warsaw, October 21, 2024, Knights of Columbus, 31687 Highway 83, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
Lees Summit, October 22, 2024, Summit Ridge Medical Plaza, 600 NW Murray Road, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

25 costliest hurricanes of all time

Although the full extent of damage caused by Hurricane Ian in the Southwest is still being realized, Ian is already being called one of the costliest storms to ever hit the U.S. Stacker took a look at NOAA data to extrapolate the costliest U.S. hurricanes of all time.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF