If you were outside the paths of Hurricanes Helene and Milton as I was, you may have felt helpless to see the fear, pain, and destruction that they left behind. We feel compassion, and also know, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” We can provide financial or other donations to legitimate rescue and recovery operations. Still, when seeking safety, resilience, and hope in a climate crisis disaster, what else can we do?
As The Guardian points out in How to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, “Social support is a critical resource to people coping with natural disasters,” says Dr Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, professor and trauma psychologist at Georgetown University. Once you know your loved ones have survived and met their most basic needs, let them know you are keeping them in mind. The Guardian also suggests that you listen, be cautious about what you share online, donate blood, volunteer through official channels only, and, of course, offer financial donations to verified organizations, like those listed at the end of this post.
Hurricane Helene’s Horrific Impact
While ABC News reported that Hurricane Helene’s death toll has risen to at least 230 people, Forbes reported on October 11 that the toll may exceed 600 in Hurricane Helene: Unknown Number Of People Still Missing As Death Toll Rises. As CNN reported, eleven members of one family in western North Caroline died when a mudslide swept them away inside their homes, while other family members watched, unable to help. After making landfall on September 26 in a relatively sparsely populated area of Florida’s northwest coast on the Gulf of Mexico, the Category 4 hurricane cut through a region about 400 miles wide and 600 miles high, leaving millions without power, wiping out roads, bridges, buildings, and flooding homes and businesses.
Hurricane Milton Adds More Misery
While search and rescue operations after Helene remained underway and recovery had barely begun, Hurricane Milton hit landfall near Sarasota, Florida as a Category 3 storm, after slowing down from Category 5 wind strength. As Reuters reported, “While some coastal cities such as Tampa were spared the catastrophic surge of seawater that many forecasters had feared, Milton brought widespread flooding and touched off a spate of deadly tornadoes on Florida’s east coast, killing at least 16 people and leaving millions without power.”
The damage to the lives, homes, and businesses of ordinary people from these two storms has been horrific. There are other impacts that we are likely to see on agriculture and industry. CNBC reported, How a tiny town hit by Helene could upend the global semiconductor chip industry.
The role that climate change played in the destructive force of these storms was the focus of an AP News report on October 9, Climate change boosted Helene’s deadly rain and wind and scientists say same is likely for Milton. High temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico contributed to Hurricane Helene’s power, according to a post-storm study.
Far too much misinformation has spread online about the government and insurance response to these storms and the impact on those affected. In addition, there are many scams, claiming to provide aid to victims, that seek your money.
How You Can Help
Be cautious about believing and sharing such information. Use only trusted sources for donating to help. You can rely on the sources below, if you are willing and able to give financial gifts.
From the Weather Channel: How To Help After Hurricane Milton
From Charity Navigator: Hurricane Helene: Discover highly rated charities that are actively providing relief and recovery to those impacted by Hurricane Helene
Finally, it is critical to elect leaders who are committed to fight the greenhouse gases and fossil fuel addiction that lead to climate change and its disastrous impacts. As a Rolling Stone commentary stated recently, The Only Way to Fight the Climate Crisis Is at the Ballot Box. I would add, we must also make change happen in the board rooms of the corporate and financial sectors.
Republicans or Democrats on Climate Change?
Which political party will do more to battle climate change? Republicans will not, as Evergreen Action reports in RNC Adopts Platform With 0 Mention of Climate or Clean Energy.
It is clear that Democrats, from Presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, down the ballot to the local level, take the climate crisis seriously, as indicated in the Democratic party’s platform.
Make your vote count!
