The death toll has risen to at least 175 across the Southeast since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm last week, and hundreds of people are still missing amid the historic flooding.
Power connections are being restored, but about 1.3 million energy customers are still without power from Florida to Virginia. People who evacuated may return to unprecedented destruction in their communities, especially in hard-hit North Carolina, and many will find their homes wiped out.
Here are ways to support them.
National support
The following national organizations are accepting donations to help affected states.
- American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is opening and supporting shelters for people who have evacuated their homes. Make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood by visiting its website. You can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
- Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is providing relief, food service and emotional and spiritual care. You can make a donation online by visiting its website.
- Americares: Americares teams are coordinating delivery of medicines, relief supplies and emergency funding to support health services. Visit its website to donate and contribute to its efforts.
North Carolina
Entire communities in North Carolina have been destroyed. At least 90 people are known to have died in the state.
President Joe Biden directed the Defense Department to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to reinforce the North Carolina National Guard, aiding in the delivery of supplies, food and water to isolated communities.
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Gov. Roy Cooper encourages those looking to donate to contribute to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. His office says the donations will go to nonprofit groups working to meet storm victims' immediate needs, like food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies.
Florida
Florida has reported 14 deaths after its direct impact, with significant flooding and winds up to 140 mph at landfall in some areas.
- Florida Disaster Fund: Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Disaster Fund to assist communities. The fund distributes funds to service organizations that help with disaster response and recovery.
Georgia
The state has reported 25 deaths, with the city of Valdosta suffering a direct hit that left the community in ruins.
- Send Relief: Send Relief is a nonprofit group in Georgia that has activated response sites across the affected regions. Donations to Send Relief supply meals, water, temporary roofing and flood recovery supplies to those sites.
Other resources
It's important to note that the Federal Emergency Management Agency says cash donations to organizations on the ground are the most effective.
FEMA recommends visiting National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to find a list of trusted organizations and additional information about how to help.
If you're still unsure of the best place for your donations, Charity Navigator is a resource that rates charities that are actively providing relief and recovery.
