Two powerful hurricanes struck the Southeastern U.S. within weeks of each other, leaving widespread devastation in their wake. Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on September 26, 2024, in Florida’s Big Bend region, followed by Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that hit Florida’s west coast near Siesta Key on October 9.
Communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond are facing widespread destruction — lives disrupted, homes destroyed, and critical infrastructure severely damaged or completely ruined.
In response to the urgent needs arising from these catastrophic storms, World Vision has acted swiftly to deliver relief. Partnering with local churches, we have distributed essential supplies like clean water, generators, diapers, personal care items, and more, ensuring that people in the hardest-hit areas readily access the basics they need.
Rev. Louis M. Murphy, Sr., of Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Florida, expressed gratitude for the partnership, sharing: “We’ve been battered by two hurricanes back-to-back, Hurricane Helene and then Hurricane Milton. We need to be responsive to the community and try to meet their needs. To be able to partner with World Vision, a worldwide organization that has that local touch as well, is incredible.”
Our commitment to supporting these communities extends beyond short-term relief to long-term recovery and rebuilding.
Your support is making a difference
World Vision responded quickly following Helene’s landfall, dispatching four 53-foot tractor-trailers filled with relief supplies to partner churches in Florida and North Carolina. Over the following weeks, 10 additional tractor-trailers were sent to Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, including hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina. In response to Hurricane Milton, World Vision sent 15 tractor-trailers with supplies to partners across Florida.
Altogether, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the partnership of 38 churches, faith-based organizations, and community organizations, we’ve distributed 29 truckloads of aid, reaching communities across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Essential relief in action
As of November 26, with the help of generous donors and partners, World Vision has:
- Reached 48,906 people with our relief efforts
- Delivered 18,000 gallons of clean water
- Distributed more than 40,000 pounds of food (more than 20 tons) to families in need, including at 10 Thanksgiving events in North Carolina and Florida
Reed Slattery, World Vision’s National Director of U.S. Programs, called this disaster one of the most devastating to hit the U.S. “We know the road to recovery is long, and World Vision will continue to stand with the communities affected by Hurricane Helene. We are committed to offering support, compassion, and resources to help impacted families recover.”
He shared how critical partnerships with local churches, like St. John Baptist Church in Arden, North Carolina, have brought timely relief to those affected. Pastor Gwen Jones from St. John Baptist Church expressed her gratitude, calling World Vision’s response “an answer to prayer.”
What’s next?
We will focus on post-storm clean-up and long-term rebuilding as we move into the recovery phase. With winter approaching, we’re particularly concerned about communities still without electricity and running water. We aim to help families stay safe, warm, and dry.
Building supplies will be crucial in helping families repair and rebuild their homes. We will continue to collaborate with local partners to ensure we are reaching people with the supplies and support that are most needed.
We’re also committed to supporting the educational needs of children in impacted communities. We’re preparing to deliver resources such as books, backpacks, and Classroom Well-being Kits to help schools and students recover from the disruption caused by these storms.
Long after other organizations have often left, we stay by these communities’ sides, dedicated to helping them rebuild and restore their lives with dignity and hope.
