It’s been more than a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall. It is now the fourth deadliest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. mainland since 1950 and the deadliest since Katrina in 2005.
Those impacted in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama need shelter, water, food and health care. Across the Southeast, hundreds of people are still reported missing. Entire communities were destroyed by fast-moving water and tens of thousands of homes have been affected.
- At least 215 people are known to have died.
- More than half of the deaths were in North Carolina, where several feet of fast-moving water destroyed entire communities.
- Hundreds are still missing, and officials have reported difficulties in identifying some of the dead.
- About 784,000 homes and businesses are without power across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
- Tens of thousands of residents, most in western North Carolina, remained without running water.
Here’s How You Can Help
While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, charity organizations aren’t ready to handle the logistical nightmare of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to trusted charities means the money goes to what’s needed right now in the places it’s needed most.
Cash Donations
While there may be a time when physical goods are necessary, immediate support is best provided through financial contributions to reputable aid organizations, like the American Red Cross.
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities. FEMA also has provided a list of volunteer organizations throughout the southeast that may need volunteers.
Give Blood
Helene has led to the cancellation of blood drives across the Southeast, causing more than 2,500 blood donations to go uncollected. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves.
_____________________________________
Photo Credit: CBS News