(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Hurricane Helene rampaged up the Florida coast Thursday, flooding coastal towns and destroying buildings, before roaring onshore in Taylor County that night as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. Over a million customers were left without power, houses were flooded when they weren’t washed away, and many people are in need of help.
Here’s how you can pitch in.
Give money
The fastest way is, of course, to send money.
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.
Charities also often get bulk discounts and, if possible, will purchase items in the disaster area to help support local economic recovery.
There might be a time when items are needed, but in the early days it’s money.
What national organizations are helping Hurricane Ida victims?
All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started.
American Red Cross: Always one of the first groups in and probably the best-known aid organization in the world, the Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to the national group’s Helene relief efforts.
Americares: Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. To help Hurricane Helene victims, Americares has set up a donation page.
CARE: Provides relief through emergency cash assistance to families in underserved communities. Donate to their Helene fund here.
Global Giving: This disaster relief charity provides immediate aid after emergencies to people, animals, and front-line workers and helps displaced families, but also addresses long-term assistance with a focus on local organizations. Donate to its Helene Ida fund here.
GoFundMe: GoFundMe fundraisers for people impacted by Hurricane Helene are already piling up in this popular crowdfunding site that connects you directly to people who need help. This can be a great way to help individuals in need and put a face on the person you’re donating to, but it also can be an easy way to get scammed. Read the campaigns carefully.
International Medical Corps: This organization works with state agencies and local healthcare providers to offer critical care and medical supplies. Donate to their Helene fund here.
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots disaster relief network dedicated to getting help directly to the underserved communities who are often left out. Donate at mutualaiddisasterrelief.org .
Operation Blessing: This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. Donate to their Helene fund here.
The Salvation Army: Another group quick to get on the ground when disaster strikes, the Salvation Army provides food, drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers. You can donate to Helene efforts here.
United Way: Local United Way organizations are accepting donations to help relief efforts for both short-term and to to continue helping residents later. You can find your local chapter here.
World Central Kitchen: When there is a disaster, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating here.
Should I head to the affected regions and volunteer to help Hurricane Helene victims?
Unless officially requested, no.
There are disaster response teams and trusted organizations doing that and random volunteers, while appreciated in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to help in disaster recovery and might take up resources needed for locals. There will be local health professionals, Red Cross volunteers and first responders heading to the area, check with them to see how you can help.
How can I make sure my money gets to Hurricane Helene victims?
Sadly, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there always will be scammers seeking to take advantage, and your money. Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out.
One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words “scam” or “fraud.” You also can research them at one of the organizations that rate charities: The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), Guidestar (guidestar.org), or CharityWatch (charitywatch.org).
The Florida Department of Agricultural Services has its own toll-free hotline where you can check charities, at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or you can use its Check-A-Charity tool to verify registration and financial information.
Can I help pets hurt or stranded by Hurricane Ida?
There are a number of local organizations dedicated to helping animals in the affected regions.
Humane Society Disaster Relief: This group evacuates animals from shelters before and after hurricanes and other natural disasters. You can donate atsecured.humanesociety.org/page/81880.
