Community
IAEM-USA members in the Southeast and the Mid Atlantic are grappling with Hurricane Helene's devastation. The historic storm surge levels, strong winds, and extreme rainfall have impacted six states. Many lack transportation networks, power, water systems, communications, and more.
Hurricane Milton is heading toward Florida's west coast and is projected to be catastrophic.
IAEM urges support for those working to help their communities during this disaster and for those who are and will continue to feel the storms affects for months and years.
IAEM is sharing the resources below.
Message to members from IAEM-USA President Carrie Speranza, CEM - September 30, 2024
Message to members regarding dues extensions from IAEM-USA Treasurer Walter English, III, CEM - October 2, 2024Be Prepared - Monitor Storms
National Hurricane Center
FEMA Ready.gov Hurrican Resources
FEMA Hurricane Milton Preparedness Resources
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or Text 1-800-985-5990; DisasterDistress@samhsa.gov
IAEM Mental Health and Wellness Caucus - IAEM-USA's caucus page provides a list of mental health resources and articles for responders.
AT&T Provides Information on Preparedness for Hurricane Milton, including FirstNet Resources - Read release.
CISA Access Coordination Requests
Amazon Business Communication - For help with Amazon Business solutions in response to Hurricane Helene, please contact Manny Coya at mcoyaiii@amazon.com.
These agencies have created special pages of information on their websites providing situational updates, logistics, recovery information, and more.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
Kentucky Emergency Management
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA has created a special page for Hurricane Helene that includes news, updates, tools, and quick links.
USA.gov - has compiled federal resources including financial assitance, disaster recovery, finding lost loved ones, food assistance, health, immigration enforcement, commuications, weather, maps, data tools, agency closures, images, and more.
HHS - Read the Oct. 9, HHS letter regarding healthcare supply chain interruptions and the efforts to restore production at the Baxter facility in Marion North, Carolina.
For those outside of the region, if you have a friend or colleague in the impacted area, please let them know they're not alone. They may not have the bandwidth or availability to respond immediately, but your outreach will mean more than you know. It may also give them the energy they need to make it through the day.
While there are many needs, currently, there are no requests for donations other than monetary donations. The Natural Hazards Center provides an excellent article on why donating unwanted goods is not the thing to be doing during a disaster. Read "Avoiding the 'Second Disaster' of Unwanted Donations."
Many NVOADs are seeking volunteers and cash donations. Learn more on NVOAD's Hurricane Response site.
American Red Cross
Catholic Charities USA
Green Cross Academy of Traumatology
Humane Society of the United States
Operation BBQ Relief
The Salvation Army
Samaritan's Purse
Save the Children
Team Rubicon
United Cajun Navy
United Way
World Central Kitchen
CISA Warns of Hurricane-Related Scams
FEMA Disaster Fraud web page
FEMA Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response page
If you know a resource that should be added to this page, please share it with IAEM by emailing dawn@iaem.com.