Here’s how you can help those affected by the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Florence.
If you are personally affected by Hurricane Florence, FEMA’s Disaster Assistance site can connect you to local resources for your immediate needs. You can also check to see if you are eligible for individual assistance.
Or, call United Way’s 211 hotline to talk to someone who can help you find shelter, food, water, and other basic needs. Just call 2-1-1 from any cell phone or landline to be connected free of charge.
The Red Cross is currently accepting donations for their Hurricane Florence efforts. Google is matching the first $1 million raised. If you are in the area and able to volunteer for 6 to 12 hour shifts, let them know you’re available at this link. If you have an Amazon Alexa, you can say “Alexa, make a donation to Hurricane Florence” and the donation will be directed to the Red Cross.
Team Rubicon uses the skills of military veterans to help the first responders in areas affected by disaster. They are currently on the ground in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia. Donate to support their Florence efforts here.
The Salvation Army has sent 50 mobile feeding units to the Carolinas. You can donate to their efforts to feed displaced people here.
Samaritan’s Purse is focusing its relief efforts in New Bern and Wilmington. You can find out about their efforts and donate here.
Direct Relief provides humanitarian relief and delivers medicines. Link to their Hurricane Florence efforts here.
Photo via USA Today
Save the Children has a team set up in North Carolina to help displaced families with children. For context, they are still on the ground in Texas and Puerto Rico after the devastating hurricanes hit those regions.
Accessing healthcare after a disaster can prove to be very difficult. You can donate to the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics’ Florence efforts here.
Food banks: Second Harvest Food Bank serving 19 counties in North Carolina,
Diaper Bank of North Carolina is accepting donations, diapers & wipes, and can use volunteers to distribute these basic needs to affected families. South Carolina Diaper Bank is accepting donations here.
Animal shelters in the area need donations but so do the animal shelters adjacent to the affected areas who took in many pets to keep them safe from the hurricane. A donation to the emergency fund at the national Humane Society of the United States will go to the shelters most in need of help.
As with any disaster, blood is in high demand. You can donate blood locally by googling “blood bank near me.”
The United Way has set up a Recovery Fund to support local communities in the Carolinas and surrounding areas affected by the hurricane. They are focused on the medium- and long-term recovery these communities will need once the immediate recovery efforts are completed.
Foundation for the Carolinas has set up a fund to help the victims of Hurricane Florence. This is a good place to give if you’re not sure which charity above you want to give to, as this fund will be distributed to a variety of charities in the affected areas.
Finally, do watch out for scams. People trying to make a buck during times of disaster are a sad fact of the times. Here’s a helpful guide to make sure you aren’t swindled: 7 Ways to Spot Fake Charities After a Disaster
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