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:
- Distributed over 50,000 hygiene kits across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee to help survivors of Hurricane Helene meet their basic needs.
- 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.
Below are 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.
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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.
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.
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.
Have a look back at our response to
Hurricanes Helene and Milton below:
The medical team in North Carolina treats its last patients. The care is transferred to existing facilities, which HHI is supporting with donations of medicines, medical supplies and hygiene kits.
Our Access to Medicine program continues to process and deliver shipments of aid to partners in all the affected states, including to Cherokee Health Systems in Knoxville, TN, Community Care clinic of Boone in NC, the St. Pete Free Clinic in Florida, and many more.
Our partners Oceana Community Health and Convoy of Hope begin distribution of HHI hygiene kits to communities impacted by Milton.
Assessment team arrives in Florida to meet with partners and determine health needs following Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton makes landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a large Category 3 storm.
Our medical team split up and began offering patient care at multiple sites on the same days, including at the health center, fire department, churches, and community care centers.
Hurricane Milton strengthens and threatens Florida. Our Disaster Response Team prepares for the possibility of two simultaneous disaster responses.
Our medical team and mobile medical vehicles began treating patients in Haywood County, North Carolina.
Our team of medical volunteers and Mobile Medical Van were sent to Western North Carolina.
A second assessment team was deployed to North Carolina to evaluate the flooding situation and determine how best to assist impacted communities.
More than 22,000 hygiene kits were prepared for shipment to partners and health clinics in the affected states.
Our team assessed the affected areas of Florida and Georgia, identifying significant damage and needs.
An additional team deployed with the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to be ready for an immediate response.
HHI’s Disaster Response Team readied for deployment by sending an advance team to Florida to coordinate with local partners and assess needs.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in western Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread destruction and flooding.
HHI's Disaster Response Team begins actively monitoring Tropical Storm Helene and proactively reaching out to partners in the region to offer help.
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.
How You Can Help
Your support is crucial in our efforts to provide essential aid and relief to those affected by storms like Hurricane Helene and Milton. Together, we can make a difference and help rebuild lives in the aftermath of disasters.