6 ways you can help Hurricane Irma victims today
Two of my boyfriend’s relatives stayed with us this week because Savannah, Georgia, had a mandatory evacuation due to Hurricane Irma. When they left Tuesday afternoon, heavy evacuee traffic turned what’s normally a four-hour drive into a nearly 10-hour excursion.
North Carolina Department of Transportation issued warnings about traveling in the heavy traffic on the southbound lanes of I-77, I-26 and I-95.
As the interstates started to clog, cruise ships sailed to ravaged Caribbean islands to deliver supplies and facilitate evacuation efforts.
As of Thursday, the Category 5 storm, was blamed for at least 44 deaths. FEMA reported that 90 percent of homes in the Florida Keys were damaged. Ninety-nine percent of buildings on the island of Barbuda were reportedly destroyed, as well as high percentages of buildings on other islands in the Caribbean area including Anguilla, St. Maarten, and Turks and Caicos.
Now it’s time for recovery. How can you help from Charlotte? Here are six ways to give online today:
(1) The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army dispatched Irma relief teams with meals, shelter and emotional and spiritual care. Donate here.
(2) PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities pledged $3 million to relief and recovery efforts helping pets and pet families in need as a result of Hurricane Irma (and Hurricane Harvey). Funds and donated pet supplies are being offered to animal welfare organizations in the affected regions that are helping displaced pets and helping pet families in need. Donate here. (You can also donate at the checkout registers in PetSmart stores.)
(3) Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is assessing shelter and housing needs with its local branches in Florida and the Caribbean following damage by Irma. Long-term plans to help families repair and rebuild their homes is dependent on support from donors and volunteers. Donate here.
(4) American Red Cross
American Red Cross offers shelters, emergency supplies, meals and more for disaster relief. There is a specific portal for Hurricane Irma relief. Donate online here.
(5) Americares
Americares is working to distribute aid, medicine and basic supplies to people in Florida and the Caribbean. According to its website, Americares is still working with local partners in Texas, as well. Donate here.
(6) GoFundMe
GoFundMe has a whole page of donation options devoted to Hurricane Irma relief. Among the options are ways to donate to victims of damages on St. John, a Barbuda relief fund and St. Maarten Hurrican Relief. Donate here.
[Related: 8 ways you can help Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston today.]
Photo: AP
This story was originally published September 14, 2017 at 10:00 PM with the headline "6 ways you can help Hurricane Irma victims today."