Hurricane Helene hit landfall as a Category 4 Thursday evening. Shortly after making landfall, it weakened to a tropical storm but the damage was still widespread. Today, relief efforts and first responders are already making headway in the affected areas. If you’re in need of help, try contacting the following services:
- 911; for medical emergencies or in case of dangerous situations such as downed but active power lines.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585); this is a toll-free line that helps individuals and businesses needing to apply for assistance.
- Reach out to your local law enforcement department.
If you’re interested in assisting others during this time, here are some resources to help you get started:
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The Florida Disaster Fund; Florida’s official private fundraiser for disaster relief. It provides financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters like Hurricane Helene. Visit The Florida Disaster Fund website for more information or to contribute.
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The United Way; assists in disaster-related evacuations, shelters, food/clothing distributions, volunteer opportunities and other resources. Monetary contributions can be made to the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund.
- The American Red Cross; has deployed hundreds of trained disaster workers and will continue assisting through cleanup and recovery. Learn more or donate by visiting redcross.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS. You can also become a Red Cross volunteer or sign up to give blood.