Updated on September 30, 2024.
After making landfall over Florida's Big Bend area as a Category 4 storm on Thursday September 26, Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast. Helene is reportedly one of the largest storms to hit the Gulf of Mexico in the last century. The hurricane’s path spanned more than 500 miles from coastal Florida to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its storm surge brought severe winds, heavy rain, and flooding. At least 102 people have died and hundreds more are reported missing. Millions are still without power. The damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the area could reach up to an estimated $110 billion.
FEMA and federal officials are working with state and local governments to respond to Hurricane Helene. They are conducting search and rescue missions, supporting medical facilities, and delivering food and clean water to affected communities.
Those watching these events unfold from a distance are not powerless to help. You can make a difference by supporting the nonprofit groups that are also working to provide immediate relief and help local communities rebuild. Here is a list of some of those organizations and how you can donate:
The American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters each year. The Red Cross mobilized a large relief effort in response to the devastation caused by Helene across hundreds of miles from Florida to Tennessee. Nearly 1,400 Red Cross disaster workers are providing shelter and food to thousands. The organization has also deployed more than 45 emergency response vehicles to assist those in need and assess damages. Supplies are also being flown to small mountain towns that have been cut off by downed trees and impassable roads. Provide financial support here. The Red Cross is also taking life-saving blood donations as Helene has disrupted medical care in the region. Schedule an appointment to donate blood here.
Save the Children has an emergency response team that is focused on meeting the most urgent needs of children and families living in the hardest hit areas. Save the Children provides these families with essentials, such as water, hygiene kits, diapers, and other life-saving supplies. You can offer your support here.
The Salvation Army is working to provide food and other emergency services for those affected by Helene. The group has deployed mobile feeding units (in partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief kitchens), which are providing free meals and drinks in five states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. You can make a donation here.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) provides meals to people affected by disasters. The group was on the ground in Tallahassee, Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall. Multiple WCK food truck partners and the organization’s Rapid Response Field Kitchen were preposition in the area to provide hot meals quickly after the storm. Donations can be made here.
United Way is mobilizing resources in the Southeast to meet the critical needs of those affected and support long-term recovery efforts in the region. You can offer your gift here.
Florida Disaster Fund is Florida’s official private fund—a collaboration of both public and private sector organizations established to support communities in the event of emergencies or natural disasters. Donations to the fund go through the nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation. Up to 3 percent of each donation is used to cover indirect costs, bank transaction fees and other administrative expenses. Donate via PayPal here.
Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes staff, equipment, and thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of natural disasters in the United States. The group often remains on the ground following the initial response to rebuild or restore houses for families in need. Bases have been established in Perry and Tampa, Florida, Valdosta, Georgia, Watauga County, North Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina. Donations may be made here.
CORE is a nonprofit focused on supporting underserved populations in the areas hardest hit by the disaster. The group provides emergency relief, such as essential medical supplies, and assistance in helping communities to rebuild. CORE teams are offering technical expertise in tarping, wellness support, and resource distribution. They are in the Southeast coordinating with local emergency management agencies to rapidly address humanitarian needs. You can donate here.
Global Giving is using donations to provide emergency relief, such as fuel, food, water, shelter, hygiene products and fuel to those affected by Helene. This group will also remain on the ground, providing long-term support to local communities. Contributions can be made here.
American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of animals. The group responds to animal-related crises in areas affected by evacuations and displacements due to natural disasters. The group works to ensure that pets and other animals are transported to safety, fed, and sheltered. You can donate to this group here.
Americares is a nonprofit that responds to more than 30 natural disasters worldwide each year. The group is currently working to meet the urgent medical needs of those affected by Helene. Americares also establishes long-term recovery projects and bring preparedness programs to communities that are vulnerable to disasters. You can make a donation here.
