World Vision prepares for 2025 hurricane season amid warnings of increased storm activity

SEATTLE (May 29, 2025) — As the 2025 hurricane season begins and experts warn of above-normal storm activity, Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is preparing staff and supplies across the U.S. and Latin America to respond to storms that may occur.   

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, could see up to 19 named storms. Of those storms, six to 10 are expected to develop into hurricanes, and three to five are anticipated to become major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or higher.  

“We’ve seen firsthand how just one powerful storm — like Hurricane Helene — can leave a trail of devastation and upend lives,” said Reed Slattery, national director for World Vision’s U.S. programs. “That’s why we prepare well in advance, so we can respond immediately and stay alongside communities through recovery.” 

World Vision staff across the U.S. are trained and positioned to deploy quickly to disaster zones, with disaster relief supplies pre-positioned at warehouses across the country. 

Following major storms in 2024, including back-to-back hurricanes like Helene and Milton, World Vision has continued to lead with both expertise and empathy – strengthening key operations by listening closely to the impacted communities’ needs. Recognizing the increasing frequency of disasters and the evolving needs of survivors, the organization has enhanced its disaster readiness.  

“We’re particularly proud of our Pastor Ambassador program that deploys pastors who have experienced storms to disaster sites,” explains Slattery. “These pastors act as spiritual mentors to other pastors, walking alongside them as they help their congregations recover after a storm.”  

Local partner groups, many of them churches, depend on World Vision to supply personal hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, and other household items that families need to tide them over after a disaster. Later, during the recovery period, World Vision teams often provide building materials as well as toys and school supplies for children. To support children’s well-being and restore a sense of normalcy after a crisis, each relief load includes two pallets of toys. 

Last year, World Vision responded to 15 disasters and emergencies in the U.S. This included three ongoing crises from previous years like the 2023 Maui wildfires. More than 50,000 people were supported through emergency and disaster relief in the U.S. and Mexico. 

In the Caribbean and Latin America, teams are ramping up hurricane preparedness and response efforts across multiple countries including training community leaders to prevent and mitigate risks as well as prepositioning essential relief supplies in communities prone to weather-related disasters.  

“We believe that communities are key to building preparedness and resilience to face the threatening forecast for this hurricane season,” says Joao Diniz, World Vision’s regional leader in Latin America. 

In Guatemala, where massive mudslides and floods affected thousands, World Vision has warehouses in 15 municipalities equipped with kitchen, hygiene kits and shelter materials. Trainings in risk reduction practices have reached nearly 35,000 children, 133 faith leaders and 111 disabled leaders, while strengthening monitoring capacities with the installation of four community meteorological stations. 

In the Dominican Republic—which serves as a hub to aid Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti—World Vision has allocated more than $400,000 in goods and training to deploy immediate relief including four warehouses that contain relief supplies like family hygiene and food kits, tarps, flashlights and shovels.    

World Vision has also developed risk reduction plans for schools covering over 20,000 children and has risk management plans with the municipalities and local governments of Alcarrizos, Haina and El Seibo, to bolster preparedness for over 500,000 people.

About World Vision: 
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.