Relief efforts are underway in hard-hit Western North Carolina including Asheville where there is a declared major disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene. Communities are devastated after rain caused catastrophic floods and washed out roads.
Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power Sunday morning.
Here's how you can pitch in.
Give money
The fastest way is, of course,to send money.
While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, charity organizations aren't ready to handle the logistical nightmare of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to trusted charities means the money goes towhat's needed right now in the places it's needed most.
Charities also often get bulk discounts and, if possible, will purchase items in the disaster area to help support local economic recovery.
There might be a time when items are needed, but in the early days it's money.
What national organizations are helping Tropical Storm Helene victims?
American Red Cross: Always one of the first groups in and probably the best-known aid organizationin the world, the Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. Italready has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and hasopened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to thenational group's Helene relief efforts.
GoFundMe: GoFundMe fundraisers for people impacted by Hurricane Helene are already piling up in this popular crowdfunding site that connects you directly to people who need help. This can be a great way to help individuals in need and put a face on the person you're donating to, but it also can be an easy way to get scammed. Read the campaigns carefully. GoFundMe has set up a dedicated hub of Helene requests that have been vetted. The company also has its own Hurricane Relief Fund you can donate to, which provides cash grants to people who need help.
The Salvation Army: Another group quick to get on the ground when disaster strikes, theSalvation Army provides food,drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers. You can donate to Helene efforts online.
United Way: The United Way has launched a fund to help people impacted by Helene. Local United Way organizations are also accepting donations to help relief efforts for both short-term issues and to continue helping residents later. You can find your local chapter on the organization's website.
World Central Kitchen: When there is a disaster, ChefJosé Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help bydonating on their website.
There are also many other organizations providing specialty care and assistance:
All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It hasa Helene fund started.
Americares: Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies.To help Hurricane Helene victims, Americares has set up a donation page.
CARE: Provides relief through emergency cash assistance to families in underserved communities. Donate to their Helene fund on their website.
The Community Foundation Tampa Bay: This local group maintains its own list of local charities that can use help providing critical needs, or you can donate to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund which distributes money to nonprofits in the community that are addressing emergency needs.
Direct Relief: Direct Relief brings long-term medical aid specifically needed by local officials and agencies. The organization has just made more than $74 million in medicines and medical supplies available for healthcare providers in the path of Hurricane Helene, according to an email. You can donate to their general fund or choose Hurricane Helene Response in the dropdown at their donation page.
Global Giving: This disaster relief charityprovides immediate aid after emergencies to people, animals, and front-line workers and helps displaced families, but also addresses long-term assistance with a focus on local organizations. Donate to its Helene Ida fund on their website.
International Medical Corps: This organization works with state agencies and local healthcare providers to offer critical care and medical supplies. Donate to their Helene fund detailed on their website.
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots disaster relief network dedicated to getting help directly to the underserved communities who are often left out.Donate at mutualaiddisasterrelief.org .
Operation Blessing: This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas.Donate to their Helene fund on their website.
Save the Children: This organization works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund.
Should I head to the affected regionsand volunteer to help Hurricane Helene victims?
Unless officially requested, no.
There are disaster responseteams and trusted organizations doing that and random volunteers, while appreciated in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to help in disaster recovery and might take up resources needed for locals. There will be local health professionals, Red Cross volunteers and first responders heading to the area, check with them to see how you can help.
How can I make sure my money gets to Hurricane Helene victims?
Sadly, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there always will be scammers seeking to take advantage, and your money. Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out.
One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words "scam" or "fraud." You also can research them at one of the organizationsthat rate charities:TheBetter Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org), Charity Navigator(charitynavigator.org),Guidestar(guidestar.org), orCharityWatch(charitywatch.org).
The Florida Department of Agricultural Services has its own toll-free hotline where you can check charities, at1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), oryou can use itsCheck-A-Charitytool to verify registration and financial information.
Can I help pets hurt or strandedby Hurricane Helene?
There are a number of local organizations dedicated to helping animals in the affected regions.
Humane Society Disaster Relief: This group evacuates animals from shelters before and after hurricanes and other natural disasters.You can donate atsecured.humanesociety.org/page/81880.
