Hurricane Milton made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday near Siesta Key, Florida, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Tragically, at least 10 lives have been lost due to the storm’s fury. In St. Lucie County, five fatalities were linked to tornadoes, while two storm-related deaths occurred in St. Petersburg. Additionally, the Volusia County Sheriff reported three fatalities in his jurisdiction.
Flooding and Power Outages Plague Millions
As Milton approached, nearly 11 million residents were warned of flash and river flooding, compounded by a record number of tornadoes that caused widespread damage before the storm made landfall. By 11:50 a.m. ET on Thursday, over 3.4 million customers across Florida were without power, according to data from poweroutage.us.
How to Support Affected Communities
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, various national and local organizations are mobilizing to provide critical support to those in need. Here’s how you can help:
National Organizations Accepting Donations
American Red Cross: Opening shelters for evacuees and coordinating relief efforts. You can donate or make an appointment to give blood on their website.
Salvation Army: Offering food services and emotional support to affected individuals. Donations can be made online.
Americares: Focusing on delivering medicines and emergency funding for health services. Support their mission by donating on their website.
Rebuilding Together: Assisting with essential repairs and cleanup efforts in damaged communities. Donations can be made online or by mail.
All Faiths Food Bank: Providing food, water, and hygiene items in coordination with local emergency management. Visit their website to help.
Florida Disaster Fund: Distributing funds to service organizations for disaster response and recovery. Donations can be made online or by check.
United Way of Florida: Organizing resources for statewide recovery efforts. Contribute to their disaster relief fund online, with options to support specific counties.
Expert Recommendations on Giving
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emphasizes that cash donations to on-the-ground organizations are the most effective way to aid affected communities. For a comprehensive list of trusted organizations, visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website.
If you’re uncertain where to donate, Charity Navigator is a valuable resource that rates charities actively providing relief and recovery support.
As Florida grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, every contribution big or small can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected. Your support is crucial in helping communities recover and rebuild. Visit the websites of the organizations mentioned above to lend a helping hand today.
For ongoing updates on Hurricane Milton and recovery efforts, follow local news outlets and official weather services. Together, we can support Florida in this challenging time and pave the way for recovery and resilience.