Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeastern United States, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm’s destructive path impacted multiple states, but western North Carolina bore the brunt of its fury.
Historic flooding wiped out entire communities, leaving residents without power, water or roads. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck Florida, bringing more flooding and destructive tornadoes to areas still recovering from Helene. Our teams are working tirelessly to provide essential aid and healthcare services in the affected regions.
Key Highlights of Our Hurricane Relief Efforts:
6,475 hygiene kits
Provided medical care to more than 300 individuals in western North Carolina using mobile medical vehicles.
Delivered 12,000 hygiene kits to Florida communities affected by Hurricane Milton.
Shipped over $2.2 million in medicines and essential supplies to support hurricane relief efforts.
Your generous donation can help us continue providing life-saving aid to those affected by these devastating storms. Donate today.
Stories of tragedy, triumph and service told
by HHI medical staff, volunteers and patients
Hurricane Helene’s aftermath has brought a wave of respiratory issues to North Carolina. Homes are flooded, mold is growing, and people are turning to indoor fires for warmth. This dangerous combination is causing serious breathing problems. HHI’s medical team is working tirelessly to provide relief. We’ve rushed additional respiratory-related medicines and inhalers from our warehouse to NC.
Tetanus can be a serious complication after natural disasters. That’s why it’s crucial to get a tetanus shot if you’ve been injured or if you could be exposed to contaminated debris during the clean-up stage of recovery. HHI’s medical team is providing essential medical care, including tetanus vaccinations, to those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Hygiene kits are a crucial part of HHI’s relief efforts. These kits may seem small, but they can make a big difference. They provide basic necessities that can help restore a sense of normalcy, prevent disease, and improve overall health and well-being. HHI has distributed more than 50,000 hygiene kits to those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Sarah Banks, Public Health Director from Haywood County, North Carolina, talks about partnering with Heart to Heart International to help provide healthcare services for residents affected by Hurricane Helene.
Athea Moore recounted her harrowing survival of Hurricane Helene to HHI’s medical team. She risked her own safety and trudged through six feet of floodwater to save her beloved animals, including her therapy dog, Kio.
HHI volunteer nurse Roger shares the inspiring story of a remarkable 89-year-old retired nurse who was injured during Hurricane Helene. She found comfort and healing with HHI’s medical team and was incredibly grateful for the care she received. Her resilient spirit brought joy and inspiration to the entire team.
Hear from Phil Meiers, a volunteer at Heart to Heart International, as he shares his journey and the reasons that led him to become involved with our humanitarian efforts. Discover how his experiences have positively impacted his life and the lives of countless others.
HHI’s disaster response assessment team deploys to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The team works closely with local partners and community leaders to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the storm and identify the most urgent medical needs of affected populations.
HHI’s medical teams are providing critical care to survivors of the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Our Director of Disaster Response, JP Fisher, shares updates on the organization’s ongoing efforts to assess needs and deliver essential aid to affected communities.
Our response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Sep. 24, 2024
Sep. 26, 2024
Sep. 26, 2024
Sep. 27, 2024
Sep. 28, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Oct. 2, 2024
Oct. 4, 2024
Monitoring Helene
Monitoring Helene
HHI’s Disaster Response Team begins actively monitoring Tropical Storm Helene and proactively reaching out to partners in the region to offer help.
Immediate Impact
Immediate Impact
Hurricane Helene made landfall in western Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread destruction and flooding.
Team Preparation
Team Preparation
HHI’s Disaster Response Team readied for deployment by sending an advance team to Florida to coordinate with local partners and assess needs.
MMU Deployment
MMU Deployment
An additional team deployed with the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to be ready for an immediate response.
Needs Assessment
Needs Assessment
Our team assessed the affected areas of Florida and Georgia, identifying significant damage and needs.
Hygiene Kit Distribution
Hygiene Kit Distribution
More than 22,000 hygiene kits were prepared for shipment to partners and health clinics in the affected states.
North Carolina Focus
North Carolina Focus
A second assessment team was deployed to North Carolina to evaluate the flooding situation and determine how best to assist impacted communities.
Medical Team Deployed
Medical Team Deployed
Our team of medical volunteers and Mobile Medical Van were sent to Western North Carolina.
Medical Team Stationed
Medical Team Stationed
Our medical team and mobile medical vehicles began treating patients in Haywood County, North Carolina.
Looking Ahead
The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene and Milton is immense, and the need for support is great across multiple states. HHI remains committed to providing essential medical care and medical and hygiene supplies to those affected, ensuring that our aid reaches those most in need.
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