Idalia: How to help those affected by storm
- Hurricane Idalia officially made landfall in Florida on Wednesday
- A number of organizations are on the ground and helping those in need
- People can donate to them online, send a check in the mail
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(NewsNation) — Idalia officially made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Wednesday morning. Though it came in as an “extremely dangerous” Category 3 hurricane, it briefly intensified to Category 4 early Wednesday before weakening again to a Category 1.
It was later designated a tropical storm as it moved through Georgia and South Carolina. As Idalia went through the southeast, it flooded roadways and spawned at least one tornado. Recovery efforts began Thursday.
Through the devastation, there are local and national organizations mobilizing to help those in need. Here are some of them.
Where you can donate
Florida Disaster Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state’s official private fund for both response and recovery efforts during times of emergency or disaster. It partners with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, according to its website. Donations can be made online, by cell phone by texting DISASTER to 20222. Checks can be made out to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Attn: Florida Disaster Fund and sent to 1545 Raymond Diehl Road Suite 250 in Tallahassee, Florida.
Project Dynamo
Project DYNAMO is a non-profit organization led by veterans. They rescue “Americans, allies and vulnerable civilians” from dangerous situations across the globe, from warzones to natural disasters.
Founder and CEO Project Dynamo Bryan Stern said on NewsNation’s “Morning in America” that they did “everything” to prepare for Hurricane Idalia.
“Communication is key, and mobility and flexibility is very key,” he said.
Feeding Tampa Bay
WFTS reports Feeding Tampa Bay prepared to offer supplies to families as Hurricane Idalia approached Florida. CEO Thomas Mantz told WFTS the organization plans to distribute food to those in high-risk, high-need locations and vulnerable communities.
“We’ll use local partners and hold distributions in public places where folks who may need food can come get it from us,” Mantz explained.
To give, you can donate online or send checks payable to Feeding Tampa Bay to: Feeding Tampa Bay Attn: Development Office 4702 Transport Dr Bldg 6 Tampa, Florida 33605.
Mercy Chefs
During natural disasters and national emergencies, professional chefs with the organization prepare “high-quality, hot meals on a mass scale for victims,” its website says.
“Our team has been fully mobilized with our convoy of equipment en route. We are working with the Emergency Operations Center of Florida as one of the primary meal providers,” they wrote.
To donate, click on this link.
Red Cross
The Red Cross is providing food, establishing shelters, handing out emergency supplies and giving medical care to those who need it. It had more than 400 disaster responders and “truckloads” of supplies ready to respond before Idalia landed.
People can donate here, and the organization is asking those who can to give blood. Blood drives in affected areas were being canceled, and Red Cross anticipates fewer donors to come out because of weather conditions.
Appointments can be scheduled using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Salvation Army
Mobile feeding units and personnel from the Salvation Army are on stand-by in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Salvation Army said on its website that it is closely coordinating with federal, state and local emergency management agencies. In addition, there’s a disaster warehouse in Tampa, Florida, that’s been stocked with emergency relief supplies.
Donations can be made at the Salvation Army’s website, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or texting “STORM” to 51555.
Samaritan’s Purse
Staff and volunteers at Samaritan’s Purse provide emergency aid to natural disaster victims and often stay behind after the initial response to rebuild or restore houses. Two of Samaritan’s Purse Disaster relief units were prepositioned as Hurricane Idalia made its way to Tampa, and two U.S. Disaster Relief Units were sent to Georgia as well.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief works closely with local healthcare facilities to make sure people get medication, supplies, and necessary care. Over the past week, the organization shipped one ton of medical aid to Florida and made its $360 million (wholesale) medical inventory in California available for emergency response operations.
Tom Roane, vice president of corporate engagement for Direct Relief, said that help is still crucial following a storm as well as during it.
“In most cases, the deaths related to hurricanes occur after the storm, and disproportionately affect those vulnerable and marginalized populations, like the elderly, like people with chronic conditions,” Roane said.
Donate here.
Humane Society of Broward County
The Humane Society wrote on Instagram they received a plea from Citrus County Animal Services, located in Northwestern Florida, for help evacuating around 20 pets from the shelter ahead of the storm.
“We are asking for your help, as we already have over 150 animals at our shelter and will need to provide care to the arriving pets,” they wrote on social media.
Donations are being taken through their website.
Florida State Animal Response Coalition
The disaster response division for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is the Florida State Animal Response Coalition. FL SARC says it’s dedicated to “disaster mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery for emergencies involving companion animals.”
Randa Richter, public media director for Florida’s SPCA in Lakeland, told NewsNation on Wednesday morning that the pets were anticipating the storm.
“It’s dark, it’s rainy, and it’s windy, and the animals are sensing it,” she said. “They’re getting a little crazy right now.”
On Tuesday night, Richter said, there were some animals taken into the shelter, and the SPCA expects even more as people are out and about in the storm’s aftermath, finding stray cats and dogs.
“Once we scan them, and hopefully the information is up to date on the microchip, we will reach out to the owner and hold on to the animal for them to come and claim them here at our shelter,” she said.
Paws Humane Society
Paws Humane Society and Florida Urgent Rescue are joining together during Hurricane Idalia, NewsNation local affiliate WRBL reported.
Through the collaboration, the Paws Humane Society and Urgent Rescue aim to “rescue, rehabilitate, and give sanctuary to animals in the hurricane’s path,” according to WRBL.
“We’re not just shelters, we’re the voice of these voiceless beings,” said Pierce. “In times of crisis, our unity becomes our strength. By working hand in hand with Florida Urgent Rescue, we can achieve so much more than we could alone.”
