Hurricane Helene, which made landfall near Perry, Florida, September 26, has left a trail of devastation across multiple states. The storm, one of the largest ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico, caused significant damage, leaving more than 3 million households without power and surpassing record tidal levels in Tampa Bay. 

Current Priorities 

The immediate priorities in response to Hurricane Helene include: 

  • Restoring power to affected households
  • Conducting search and rescue operations
  • Providing shelter and resources for displaced individuals
  • Assessing damages

Ongoing Efforts 

Search and rescue operations are actively ongoing in the most affected areas. In the days following the disaster, 143 shelters were operational, providing refuge for more than 9,000 individuals. The Red Cross has deployed 469 responders on the ground, with an additional 300 en route to assist with relief efforts. More responders are expected to join as the full impact of the hurricane is assessed. 

How You Can Help 

You can contribute to recovery and rebuilding efforts by supporting various regional and national funds dedicated to disaster response and recovery. 

Regional Funds 

Florida 

  • Florida Disaster Fund – Volunteer Florida: Distributes donations to service organizations that help people with disaster response and recovery in Florida. 

Georgia 

  • Send Relief: Activating response sites across affected regions to supply meals, water, temporary roofing, and flood recovery supplies. 

North Carolina 

  • North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – United Way of North Carolina: Distributes donations to service organizations that help people with disaster response and recovery in North Carolina. 

South Carolina 

  • One SC Fund – Central Carolina Community Foundation: Directs donations to local South Carolina nonprofits that provide disaster relief and recovery, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Henry McMaster. 

Virginia 

  • Virginia’s Disaster Fund: Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management is collecting donations. Donations can be made by check – an online donations portal is being activated soon. 

Tennessee 

National Organizations 

  • American Red Cross: Opening and supporting shelters for people who have evacuated their homes. Visit its website to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood. You can also text the word “HELENE” to 90999 to make a donation. 
  • Salvation Army: Providing emergency aid, food, drinks, emotional and spiritual care, and critical supplies to survivors and rescue workers in five states. 
  • Americares: Coordinating delivery of medicines, relief supplies, and emergency funding to support health services. 
  • United Way: Mobilizing resources to meet the critical needs of those impacted and support long-term recovery efforts. Donations will be directed to United Ways in the impacted region. 
  • CARE: Providing emergency cash assistance to help families in underserved communities who have been affected by Helene 

Your contributions could help restore power, provide shelter, and support the long-term recovery of the affected communities. You can support any of the organizations above directly from your Omaha Community Foundation fund. If you have questions about how to contribute, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at giving@OmahaFoundation.org or (402) 342-3458.