Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene roared through parts of the US Southeast, Hurricane Milton roared onto Florida’s west coast around 8:30 p.m., Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. It then moved across the state throughout the early morning hours bringing high winds and incessant rain.
As of Oct. 10, millions of Floridians are without power, and officials are in the early stages of assessing the damage from the wind and flooding.
ROAD DESTROYED: Part of a Pasco County road was left in pieces after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida
MORE STORM DAMAGE PHOTOS: https://t.co/41HaWiew2h pic.twitter.com/rpfrKgxjnh
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) October 10, 2024
Tropicana Field in Tampa had its roof ripped off from Milton’s ferocious winds, leaving the Major League Baseball stadium open to the elements.
Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024
Communities across Florida, from Siesta Key to Orlando to Daytona, felt the impact of Hurricane Milton. While it’s only been a few hours since Hurricane Milton moved away from Florida, emergency officials and nonprofit organizations are already mobilizing to get assistance to those who need it.
If you’re looking for ways to help those affected by Hurricane Milton, here are just a few organizations offering assistance that could use financial support and even volunteers.
The American Red Cross
In the aftermath of a disaster, figuring out next steps can be daunting. Here’s what to know and keep in mind after Hurricane Milton:
Safety Tips for the Immediate Aftermath:
– We understand recovery feels unimaginable. Try to remain calm, pace yourself, and prioritize urgent… pic.twitter.com/Yvqg4mGNPW— American Red Cross (@RedCross) October 9, 2024
The American Red Cross has mobilized in various ways to help victims of Hurricane Milton, from sending hundreds of volunteers across the region to help on the ground to organizing blood donations.
You can also donate financially in several ways. First, visit the American Red Cross’s official Hurricane Helene donation website. You can also donate by mail by printing out a donation form, filling it out, and sending a check designated for Hurricanes Milton and Helene Relief in the memo line. Finally, you can also donate via text—just text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate to disaster relief.
Project Hope
View this post on Instagram
Project HOPE has a team of emergency response experts and paramedics in Florida to support search and rescue efforts and provide critical medicine and humanitarian relief supplies for people impacted by Hurricane Milton.
Make a contribution to Project Hope’s Hurricane Milton relief fund at the official donation website.
World Central Kitchen
WCK’s Relief Team is prepositioning across Florida while following safety precautions ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall to see how we can best assist affected communities. This is a quickly evolving situation—we’ll share more information as soon as we have it.… pic.twitter.com/1LxrSoAeRe
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) October 9, 2024
Global relief organization World Central Kitchen already had teams in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee to provide free meals for people affected by Hurricane Helene. Now, it is regrouping to help those affected by Hurricane Milton.
Even before the storm made landfall, WCK workers began to prepare to feed people by positioning themselves where the storm would cause damage.
People interested in contributing to World Central Kitchen can visit the organization’s official donation website.
The Florida Disaster Fund
Florida’s official private fund helps statewide communities following a natural disaster or other emergency. It is run through Volunteer Florida, an organization looking for individuals willing to step up and serve the community in affected areas. You can find volunteer opportunities here.
Monetary donations can be made directly on the Florida Disaster Fund website.
Save The Children
Save The Children has teams already on the ground in Florida, working with local officials to help families obtain essential items through its Children’s Emergency Fund. Workers also help schools, childcare centers, and early learning centers get up and running as quickly as possible to support local families. Mental health teams are also available to work with children during disasters.
Donations can be made on the official Save the Children website.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army plans to set up Base Camps, large centers of operation around the Lakeland/Sarasota/Pinellas County/Hillsborough county area. The final locations will be determined as the need arises.
Preparations were made days in advance as the forecasters warned of the arriving storm.
““This is an anxious time for us now because there is nothing more we can do but wait”, said Steven Hartsook, The Salvation Army’s Florida Emergency Disaster Services Director, in a press release. “We have prepared the best we can, and we know the situation is fluid so we will need to be able to adjust the plan if needed once it is safe to respond.”
To support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Helene response effort, visit the organization’s official donation website and make a contribution.
Feeding America
We will continue updating our community as our food banks on the ground assess damages and begin recovery. Donations are needed if you’re able 🧡https://t.co/5HVZJRZs8C https://t.co/jwEuC59gik
— Feeding America (@FeedingAmerica) October 10, 2024
As the cleanup begins from Hurricane Milton, many of Feeding America’s local food banks in Florida are still closed. However, once conditions are safe to open, all of the locations will be open and will need help keeping their shelves stocked for their neighbors in need.
Donations to Feeding America can be made on the organization’s official website.
Baby2Baby
View this post on Instagram
The Baby2Baby nonprofit organization “provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.”
Baby2Baby already has 600,000 emergency supplies, including diapers, formula, blankets, and hygiene products on the ground in Florida and additional shipments of critical items on the way.
Donate to Baby2Baby’s official disaster fund to help the organization continue to supply children with essential food, diapers, and other necessities.
Direct Relief
With Hurricane Milton making landfall tonight, Direct Relief’s CEO shares the latest on the nonprofit’s response.
For more on how Direct Relief is mobilizing critical medical resources to support hurricane-impacted communities across the Southeastern US, visit:… pic.twitter.com/ZYVkEkFGrM
— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) October 9, 2024
Direct Relief is on the ground, mobilizing aid and coordinating with local agencies and responders to prepare and respond effectively.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Direct Relief swiftly mobilized to support the hardest-hit areas:, including $350,000 in financial assistance to community health centers, free clinics, and other healthcare providers and $74 million in medicines and medical supplies made available to healthcare partners.
