By — Harry Zahn Harry Zahn Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-to-help-those-affected-by-hurricane-florence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How to help those affected by Hurricane Florence Nation Sep 18, 2018 5:36 PM EDT The hurricane winds and torrential rains may have subsided, but many cities and neighborhoods peppered along the Carolina coast — and as far inland as Fayetteville, North Carolina — have been overwhelmed with flooding caused by Florence. At least 34 people have died due to the storm, mostly in North Carolina, and more than 300,000 people are still without power in the region. Bill Saffo, mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina — a coastal city that has been cut from the rest of the state due to impassably flooded roads — told William Brangham on the PBS NewsHour Monday that residents should resist trying to leave their houses to avoid the risk of electrocution from downed power lines entangled with debris. The water from swollen rivers has inundated coal ash dumps and open-air manure pits at hog farms in North Carolina, spilling out waste and pollution, the Associated Press reported. In South Carolina, there are reports of copperhead snakes and fire ants, displaced by floodwaters, seeking dry land and ending up in residents’ yards, The Post and Courier reported. Roadways remain blocked and the worst of the flooding may be yet to come. Though many are still in the midst of crisis, not yet thinking about the long recovery ahead, here are some ways you can help: North Carolina bore the brunt of the impact from Florence. The state is accepting donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. You can text FLORENCE to 20222 or donate here. South Carolina is directing people to donate to the One SC Fund, which supports nonprofits providing relief and recovery in disaster-stricken areas. You can read more and donate here. The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 3,000 disaster workers to help shelter, feed, and support people impacted by Florence. The organization is also marshaling emergency response vehicles and trailers full of equipment and supplies. You can donate online here, or text FLORENCE to 90999 to donate $10. Google is matching donations up to $1 million. Task Force 75 is a disaster-response organization that formed last year as a volunteer group of primarily U.S. military veterans who help with search and rescue, first aid, and humanitarian aid. You can donate on their verified GoFundMe page. United Way operates more than 1,400 chapters across the United States. Local chapters in the affected areas are focused on mid- and long-term recovery efforts. You can donate to its Hurricane Florence Recovery Fund. World Vision is shipping seven truckloads of relief supplies to local church and community partners to reach thousands of people impacted by the storm. Relief supplies include food, clean water, personal hygiene items, temporary shelter items, diapers, clothing, and flood cleanup kits. Read more about the response and donate here. Save the Children is distributing cribs, diapers, wipes, and other hygiene supplies at family shelters in affected areas. The organization is also creating child-friendly spaces and structuring activities to try and help the children cope with the anxiety from the storm. You can donate here. Frank’s Nation is a foundation that finds, transports, and rescues dogs from disaster areas. You can donate on their verified GoFundMe page. Note: We verified organizations to the best of our ability. If you aren’t sure about the legitimacy of a charitable organization, visit Charity Navigator. By — Harry Zahn Harry Zahn
The hurricane winds and torrential rains may have subsided, but many cities and neighborhoods peppered along the Carolina coast — and as far inland as Fayetteville, North Carolina — have been overwhelmed with flooding caused by Florence. At least 34 people have died due to the storm, mostly in North Carolina, and more than 300,000 people are still without power in the region. Bill Saffo, mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina — a coastal city that has been cut from the rest of the state due to impassably flooded roads — told William Brangham on the PBS NewsHour Monday that residents should resist trying to leave their houses to avoid the risk of electrocution from downed power lines entangled with debris. The water from swollen rivers has inundated coal ash dumps and open-air manure pits at hog farms in North Carolina, spilling out waste and pollution, the Associated Press reported. In South Carolina, there are reports of copperhead snakes and fire ants, displaced by floodwaters, seeking dry land and ending up in residents’ yards, The Post and Courier reported. Roadways remain blocked and the worst of the flooding may be yet to come. Though many are still in the midst of crisis, not yet thinking about the long recovery ahead, here are some ways you can help: North Carolina bore the brunt of the impact from Florence. The state is accepting donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. You can text FLORENCE to 20222 or donate here. South Carolina is directing people to donate to the One SC Fund, which supports nonprofits providing relief and recovery in disaster-stricken areas. You can read more and donate here. The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 3,000 disaster workers to help shelter, feed, and support people impacted by Florence. The organization is also marshaling emergency response vehicles and trailers full of equipment and supplies. You can donate online here, or text FLORENCE to 90999 to donate $10. Google is matching donations up to $1 million. Task Force 75 is a disaster-response organization that formed last year as a volunteer group of primarily U.S. military veterans who help with search and rescue, first aid, and humanitarian aid. You can donate on their verified GoFundMe page. United Way operates more than 1,400 chapters across the United States. Local chapters in the affected areas are focused on mid- and long-term recovery efforts. You can donate to its Hurricane Florence Recovery Fund. World Vision is shipping seven truckloads of relief supplies to local church and community partners to reach thousands of people impacted by the storm. Relief supplies include food, clean water, personal hygiene items, temporary shelter items, diapers, clothing, and flood cleanup kits. Read more about the response and donate here. Save the Children is distributing cribs, diapers, wipes, and other hygiene supplies at family shelters in affected areas. The organization is also creating child-friendly spaces and structuring activities to try and help the children cope with the anxiety from the storm. You can donate here. Frank’s Nation is a foundation that finds, transports, and rescues dogs from disaster areas. You can donate on their verified GoFundMe page. Note: We verified organizations to the best of our ability. If you aren’t sure about the legitimacy of a charitable organization, visit Charity Navigator.