How to Help After Hurricanes Like Helene and Milton

It wasn't until days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane that we, as a nation, began to understand the widespread devastation she left in her path. The death toll after this terrible storm was over 220, and that number slowly rose as cleanup crews toiled away at their grim tasks. Residents found themselves stranded by washed-out roads with no cell service and catastrophic flooding in areas that Appalachia has never seen before. Hurricane Helene will go down in history as one of the worst storms we have encountered in the United States...but it wouldn't be the only storm to cause such destruction this year.

Only a matter of days after Helene carved a path of devastation, Hurricane Milton arrived on Florida's shores. Making landfall in the morning of October 9th, 2024, Milton was called a "catastrophic Category 5" storm and communities across Florida braced for a life-threatening storm surge, strong winds, and flooding.

10/9/2024, 9:00 a.m. - At the time of updating this article, Hurricane Milton only just began to make landfall. We will update this article with additional information on how to help the state of Florida once the damage can be evaluated.

Millions are without power, supplies, and food, and they need our help more than ever. We have compiled a comprehensive list of ways to help after Hurricane Helene. These agencies are distributing life-saving supplies to those in need and delivering them by any means possible. In some areas, like western North Carolina, that means finding helicopters to airdrop supplies. 

There are many ways to donate. You can donate money, your time, or supplies. If you want to donate supplies, here are the most requested donations for Hurricane Helene:

• Shelf-stable food (pop-top cans only, nothing requiring a can opener)
• Bottled water
• Baby formula
• Diapers
• Cat food
• Dog food

National organizations, including FEMA, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross, are always taking donations. These organizations help the larger region, and the Red Cross has set up shelters all across the region.

If you would like to donate to a smaller, local non-profit, we’ve compiled a list from every state affected by Hurricane Helene. It's not a conclusive list, but it's a good start.

If you are searching for a loved one after Hurricane Helene, visit the Red Cross website. They have everything broken down by state, and teams work around the clock to make these connections. 

Those affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for Federal assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov.

How to help North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

Western North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Many roads were washed away, leaving communities with only one way in or out: by air.

Until roads can be cleared and are safe to drive on, emergency relief is being airlifted to affected areas via helicopter. A group of independent pilots with helicopters has volunteered to help transport water, food, and supplies. They have set up a GoFundMe, and all donations will go towards funds needed for supplies to be delivered to Western North Carolina.

Grassroots organizations are popping up all over the affected areas. If you’d like to get involved, visit the Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief Facebook page to find out where drop-off zones are and what supplies are needed.

Operation Airdrop is another organization that delivers hot meals and essential supplies to those affected by the storm.

JAARS is a non-profit in Avery County that delivers supplies by air. Supplies can be dropped off at 7700 JAARS Road, Waxhaw, NC, 28173, or donated online.

Other organizations in Western North Carolina:

• Manna FoodBank in Asheville is distributing supplies at the Asheville Farmers Market. 
• BeLoved Asheville is a group of boots-on-ground volunteers collecting and distributing supplies. 
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue: The facility was destroyed, but all the animals are safe with foster families. However, donations are urgently needed.
• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is providing reimbursements to nonprofits working with survivors. 

Volunteers are also needed:

• Buncombe County: email [email protected]
• Madison County: email [email protected] or call 828-649-1815

Asheville:

• McDonald's in Asheville will be serving free food Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 950 Patton Avenue. 
• Cotton Global Disaster Solutions will be set up at Asheville High School, 419 McDowell Street, on Friday, October 4, 2024, to distribute water and box lunches.
• The City of Asheville has set up a water distribution center at Asheville Middle School (211 S. French Broad Avenue). It's a drive-thru that can hold one case of water per family per day.

How to help South Carolina after Hurricane Helene

One SC Fund directs donations to local nonprofits.

South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division has information about volunteering and donations.

Greenville County:

• Ready-to-eat meals are being distributed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 35 E. Antrim Drive at McAllister Square
• Harvest Hope: Food distribution at 2818 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611
• Redemption Church will have hot meals, water, and charging stations on Wednesday, 10/2, and Thursday, 10/3. 315 Roe Road, Greenville, SC 29611

Spartanburg County:

• Spartanburg Water will have a drive-thru water fill station at its Collection and Distribution Complex, 301 S. Avenue, Spartanburg, on October 2, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Spartanburg County will be handing out bottled water and MREs from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until further notice at two locations: 1875 E. Main Street, Duncan (SCC's Tyger River Campus) and 9070 Hwy 11, Campobello.
• Spartanburg School Districts will be serving hot meals at both Shoally Creek Elementary School and Broome High School. 

Anderson County:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina will be at the Jockey Lot in Anderson County on Friday, October 4, for food.
• The Rocky River Baptist Association Union #3 will serve hot meals on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oconee County:

• The Oconee Emergency Services has a full list of all of their locations for food that is updated daily.
• Golden Corner Food Pantry has food and water locations: Mountain Rest Community Club, 120 Verner Mill Road, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, and Salem Fire Department Parking Lot 115 East Main Street, Salem, SC 29676

Pickens County:

• There are charging stations at 5 Point Church, Liberty Elementary, Pickens Recreational, Pickens City Hall, Snow Family Outdoor Fitness & Wellness, and Larry Bagwell Gym.
• Shelter/Food/Showers: The Red Cross Shelter/Glenwood Baptist Church 325 Saco Lowell Road, Easley, SC.
• Water/MRE Distribution Centers: Pickens County Building Maintenance 1507 Walhalla Hwy. Pickens, SC, and the Fire Department 2507 Earls Bridge Road, Dacusville, SC.

How to help Georgia after Hurricane Helene

Georgia’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is taking information for anyone who wants to volunteer. There’s another form for donations.

Food Security for America (FSA) is seeking donations to deliver fresh produce and water. 

Send Relief: Atlanta-based non-profit

Caring For Others: Atlanta-based non-profit

Salvation Army of Georgia: has 14 mobile kitchens throughout the state, as well as shelters and support stations.

Atlanta-based CARE: providing emergency relief in Georgia

The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has set up Camp Mikell in Toccoa as temporary housing. The camp has power, hot water, and access to food/fuel. Call 706-886-7515 to set up housing.

How to help Florida after Hurricane Helene

The Florida Disaster Fund is distributing supplies and accepting donations.

St. Pete Fund: The City of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Community Foundation came together to launch this disaster relief organization.

Feeding Tampa Bay: volunteer and distribution opportunities.

Comfort stations in St. Petersburg:

• Azalea Recreation Center (1600 72nd St. N) - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Enoch D. Davis Center (1111 18th Ave. S) - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Robert Recreation Center (1246 50th Ave. N) - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• USF St. Pete - University Student Center (200 6th Ave. S) - 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Laundry Stations in St. Petersburg:

• Parking lot across from Allendale United Methodist Church (3803 Haines Rd. N): 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Clothesline Laundromat (840 49th St. N): 12 - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday
• St. Pete Laundry Company (8461 4th St. N):  8 a.m. - 10 p.m. (last wash at 8:30 p.m.) 

Hurricane Helene donation collection sites across Pinellas County are accepting donations. Visit the donation collection website to find a location.

Volunteer Connect is a statewide portal that matches volunteers with organizations near them. Even if you cannot donate money or supplies, your time is just as valuable.

The City of St. Petersburg is not charging bus fare for service within St. Pete city limits from September 30 until October 13.

How to help Virginia after Hurricane Helene

Virginia Disaster Relief Fund is accepting monetary donations.

Salem Civic Center: Food drive on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Partnered with Feeding Southwest Virginia and Wheeler Media Stations

Stonewall Harley-Davidson is filling a 50-foot trailer with donations to hand off. They are seeking basic cleaning supplies, water, and non-perishable food at 385 Waugh Blvd in Orange.

These states have a long road to recovery ahead of them. They need our help now more than ever. We know this isn't a full list, but it's a good start, and this will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have an organization you’d like to be included, please email [email protected].