Hurricane Helene: How to help those impacted by storms, flooding

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The remnants of Hurricane Helene dissipated on Saturday, but millions of Americans remain without power across the Southeast, and officials warned that record-breaking river flooding was ongoing in parts of southern Appalachia.

As of Saturday afternoon, the storm — which made landfall on the Florida coast as a Category 4 hurricane — has been blamed for at least 52 deaths across five states, including 23 people in South Carolina and 11 people in Florida. Residents of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee were also impacted. Officials expect the death toll to rise.

Below, those who would like to help in recovery efforts can find a list of reliable organizations that are working to make a difference on the ground. Atop the list are national organizations that are recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to FEMA, cash is the fastest and most flexible contribution a donor can make, as it gives organizations the ability to purchase exactly what they need.

The Red Cross announced Saturday that it was mobilizing over 500 disaster workers to help provide food, shelter and support to victims of Hurricane Helene — with more workers on the way. The organization said it has opened or supported hundreds of shelters for thousands of people who had to evacuate their homes. Donations can be made to the Red Cross’ Helene fund here.

On Thursday, Americares said it was sending relief workers to Florida to help restore health services, deliver medicines to communities and provide emergency funding to impacted areas. Officials said they were working agencies in Helene’s path to offer assistance, as well. Donations to Americares can be made online.

In response to Hurricane Helene, All Hands and Hearts has launched a 12-month campaign, with the goal of raising $2 million to support the long-term recovery of impacted areas. After previous disasters, All Hands and Hearts says it has worked to “rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way.” Donations to All Hands and Hearts’ Helene response can be made online.

When disasters hit, the Humane Society sends in its teams to help rescue animals in impacted areas. Currently, the Humane Society says its team is in Madison County, Florida. According to the local CBS station WCTV, 100% of Madison County’s residents were without power on Friday. Donations to the Humane Society may be made here.

The Salvation Army puts donations toward providing a wide range of emergency needs, including food, drinks, baby supplies, hygiene products and direct financial aid to survivors. Its efforts also go toward long-term recovery projects, such as repair and reconstruction. Donations to the Salvation Army’s Helene response can be made here.

Although United Way is a national organization, those who would like to donate to a specific area may do so by locating United Ways chapters in any of the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. The organization says it is mobilizing resources all over the region to support long-term recovery efforts. Donations to the larger United Way Helene recovery effort can be made here. Links to each state’s list of United Way locations can be found below:

-Florida
-Georgia
-North Carolina
-South Carolina
-Tennessee

World Central Kitchen, led by Chef José Andrés, responds regularly to natural disasters, man-made crises and humanitarian emergencies all over the globe. Their goal: to get meals to those who need them most, including relief workers. According to a social media post made Friday, World Central Kitchen teams were surveying the area between Georgia and St. Petersburg, Florida, to determine where their assistance would be most needed. They plan to bring food and water for immediate distribution and will return with hot meals. Donate to World Central Kitchen’s Helene response efforts here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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