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Hurricane Florence, dubbed a “storm of a lifetime,” is currently pounding the Carolinas and neighboring states. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated leading up to the storm making landfall early Friday morning, and the storm’s powerful winds are causing massive flooding and damage to cities across the area.
“This is an uninvited brute who just won’t leave,” Gov. Roy Cooper toldTodayon Friday. “We have a significant storm surge that’s pressing against a big river with historic rains on top of that. That water has nowhere else to go… Even when the storm moves through, the rivers will continue to rise. We can’t be complacent when the sun comes out because this rain is going to increase the levels of our rivers, some of them predicted to get to historic levels. We know there will be flooding in the weeks after the storm.”
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First responders and displaced residents will need help now and into the coming weeks. For ways you can help in relief efforts, here are a collection of organizations that are working first hand to bring aid and recovery to the region.
American Red Cross
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North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) partners with local organizations and is inviting people to donate to the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund, which will be given to local nonprofits within the state. “All resources go to granting; we hold nothing back for administration,” the organizationtweeted. You can contribute through their websitehere.
Americares
Americares is collecting donations for emergency medicine and supplies, and people can donate here.
“The storm is on track to make a direct hit on the East Coast and impact much of the southern United States in the coming days,” Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel said in a statement according toABC. “Our response team has been activated and is ready to meet the immediate health needs in affected communities.”
Team Rubicon
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Civilian Crisis Response Team
Volunteers from the Civilian Crisis Response Team are rescuing people from the flood waters and are helping to distribute diapers, blankets and clean clothing to survivors. The organization relies on donations to operate — you can donatehere.
Charleston Animal Society
If you would like to donate, head to theirwebsite.
American Humane
American Humane is another highly-rated organizations helping with rescue efforts for animals. Donate here.
source: people.com
