How You Can Support Communities Hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

As Florida faces catastrophe in the wake of Hurricane Milton, communities across the southeastern U.S. are still devastated by Hurricane Helene — one of the deadliest storms in the nation’s history.

Scientists are directly linking the unprecedented intensity and frequency of these storms to warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico caused by global climate change. These researchers have stated that climate change from burning fossil fuels has made storms like Hurricane Helene and Milton more than twice as likely.

“As extreme storms hit back-to-back, there is little time to prepare or recover. We’re seeing a crisis within a crisis that is hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. People with limited incomes, mobility constraints, and language barriers preventing access to lifesaving information are most at risk,” said Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen in a statement.

“We commend the first responders providing lifesaving care along with local aid groups distributing essential disaster relief today and in the weeks to come. Climate change is here, and we must do more to protect health, wellbeing, and safety, especially in our most vulnerable communities.”

In midst of these disasters, Florida, North Carolina, and other southeastern U.S. communities need our support. If you would like to learn more about other organizations in the region doing good work, and how you can support them, check out the list of resources and links below.

Florida Relief and Environmental Organizations

Environmental Groups

• Florida Rising: Organizes multi-racial movements to expand climate justice and democracy.
• Sierra Club Florida: A chapter of the national Sierra Club, Sierra Club Florida is made up of volunteer leaders and civic activists working to protect the natural and threatened places in Florida.
• Florida Wildlife Federation: Protects Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life.
• Waterkeepers Florida: Waterkeepers Florida is a regional entity working in the State of Florida to protect and restore water resources across over 45,000 square miles of watershed.
• The Cleo Institute: The CLEO Institute empowers individuals and communities to comprehend and address climate challenges through policy making, data-driven initiatives and grassroots advocacy. Our multifaceted approach encompasses both adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts and mitigation efforts to tackle the root causes of this crisis.
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida: The Conservancy of Southwest Florida works to protect Southwest Florida’s natural environment and quality of life.
• Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida: Organizations and individuals devoted to conservation of the natural resources of Florida.
• Sanibel Captiva Conservation Association: SCCF’s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems through our focus on Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration, Water Quality Research, Policy and Advocacy, Sea Turtles and Shorebirds, Native Landscaping, Habitat and Wildlife Management, and Environmental Education.
• Florida Oceanographic Society: Florida Oceanographic Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy.

Community Support Groups

• League of United Latin American Citizens: Working to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.
• La Mesa Boricua de Florida: A movement to strengthen the power and well-being of Puerto Ricans through political representation, economic empowerment, and cultural affirmation. This grassroots movement unites and develops leaders to advance social justice.
• Alianza Center: Founded by Puerto Ricans and Florida’s Hispanic community in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Alianza Center serves the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities of Florida by fostering leadership in the areas of the environment, healthy living, the arts and culture, and civic engagement.

Southeastern U.S. Environmental and Relief Organizations

• Appalachian Voices: Grassroots groups advocating for clean energy, environmental protection, and healthy communities.
• Beloved Asheville: Community-based organization delivering water and baby supplies in Asheville and looking for missing people.
• Southeast Climate and Energy Network: Confronts the climate crisis by creating alignment, growing capacity, and building power among member organizations and their communities in the Southeast. (Donations should be tagged with “Helene.”)
• North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund: Provides grants to nonprofit and charitable organizations in North Carolina communities impacted by disasters.
• Mountain Projects: Advancing the welfare of the people living in North Carolina’s Haywood and Jackson Counties and surrounding areas.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee: Leading the community of East Tennessee in the fight to end hunger.
• Homeward Bound: With a mission to prevent and end homelessness in the community through permanent housing and support, Homeward Bound sets up resources for housed and unhoused community members across Buncombe County in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
• Democracy Green: Democracy Green has led numerous successful campaigns and environmental justice movements in North Carolina and nationwide. It is now supporting communities in Eastern North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
• Hospitality House: Hospitality House works to rebuild lives and strengthen communities by providing a safe, nurturing, healthy environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty-related crises.
• MANNA Food Bank: A member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, MANNA — based in Asheville, N.C. — serves communities across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, providing food to people experiencing hunger.
• Wine to Water: Global nonprofit organization with headquarters in Boone, N.C., providing disaster relief, meals, and clean water.
• Operation Airdrop: The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas.