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Stamford, Conn. – Sept. 26, 2024 – Americares is deploying a response team to Florida as Hurricane Helene barrels toward the state’s northwest coast, bringing life-threatening flooding, dangerous storm surge and intense winds.
Americares emergency response experts are expected to be on the ground in Florida this weekend to support health needs in the affected areas.
Hurricane Helene is forecast to make landfall this evening as a major hurricane near Florida’s Big Bend region. The “unusually large storm,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, could impact communities from Tallahassee to Atlanta and western North Carolina. Catastrophic and life-threatening conditions are expected along portions of the coast, where storm surge could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level. The storm is expected to move inland at high speeds, bringing strong winds, flash flooding, landslides, downed trees and power outages across the southeastern United States.
Americares is focused on restoring health services for families affected by the storm and is ready to deliver medicines and relief supplies to affected communities, as well as provide emergency funding to support the restoration of health services. Americares has already reached out to nearly 200 partner organizations across Alabama, Florida and Georgia located in the path of the storm to offer assistance.
“This is a massive storm system—one of the largest we have seen in years—and we know people in the most affected areas will need help to recover,” said Americares U.S. Director of Emergency Response Mariel Fonteyn. “We have been responding to storms of this magnitude for decades and understand just how devastating a major hurricane can be for a community and, especially, those who have the least resources. We’re ready to restore access to essential health services and critical relief supplies.”
Americares responds to more than 35 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. After disasters, we often stay for months—or years—helping communities recover.
The organization has a long history of responding to storms in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Americares has been on the frontlines of recovery efforts following major hurricanes in the region in recent years, including Hurricanes Idalia, Ian, Irma, Dorian and Michael.
Donations to Americares U.S. Disaster Relief Fund will support the organization’s response to this emergency. To donate go to: americares.org/DisasterHelp