Colorado volunteers on standby to help Puerto Rico with relief efforts after Hurricane Fiona

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) - The American Red Cross has 30 volunteers in Colorado and Wyoming on standby to help those affected by storms in Puerto Rico and Alaska. Hurricane Fiona left the island of Puerto Rico devastated, leaving hundreds without a home.

Millions are still without power and clean water after a category four hurricane made landfall this week.

Red Cross officials say that if Colorado volunteers are sent to Puerto Rico, they'll only have about 24 hours to pack their bags and head out.

For volunteers like Kim Mailes, packing up and answering the call is now second nature for him.

"Well, I am on standby a lot. In the last year, I have been to California for wildfires, I have been in Kentucky for tornadoes, and I was in Kentucky for the flooding. Being on call means to be able to go on a quick notice," Mailes said.

It's a call he's happy to answer and with the climate changing, he's ready to be deployed wherever he is needed should a natural disaster occur.

"You don't know when you are going to get a call but when you receive the call, you instantly get your travel arrangements made and you try to get on the ground there within 24 hours," said Mailes.

It's volunteers like Mailes that give Colorado Springs resident Melba Robinson-Santa some peace after her anxiety went through the roof checking on loved ones.

"I have my parents over there, I have my son, my uncles, and some of my aunts. I think I call them every hour. Thank God I can call them," exclaimed Robinson-Santa.

This is a relief, because five-years-ago when Hurricane Maria hit the island, it was nearly impossible to get in contact with loved ones.

Though her family has survived this storm too, most of Puerto Rico is still without power and clean water as the storm moves north toward Bermuda. They also know hurricane season is far from over.

"It is so hard for me and I am sure for every Puertorican that is here, just to be here and not be able to go there and help and say 'What can I do for you?' It is so very very hard," said Robinson-Santa.

If deployed, the volunteers will be in charge of staffing and supporting residents who have been evacuated from their homes at Puerto Rico shelters.

If deployed to Puerto Rico, Red Cross volunteers will be there for two weeks.

Red Cross officials say they are entering their busiest season yet and they are always looking for volunteers who are ready to answer the call.

For more on how to help click here.