How to Help Hurricane Victims

November 28, 2023 | 9 min read Financial Assistance

Experiencing the wrath of a hurricane first hand can be a harrowing experience for even the most prepared. And getting through the event is only half the battle. For many, the recovery process can feel like going through a second natural disaster.

Thankfully, there are resources out there to help hurricane victims get back on their feet and educate people on hurricane relief efforts. From relief workers to individual volunteers, there are plenty of people who want to lend a hand. If you’re among those wondering how to help hurricane disaster survivors recover, this disaster relief guide lists the best ways to make a difference.

Five startling hurricane facts

Over the last two to three decades, rising sea levels and increased ocean temperatures have led to more severe storms across the globe. From Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to Hurricane Harvey and Irma in 2017, the last decade has produced some monster storms in the US.

While the 2023 hurricane season has been mostly quiet, Hurricane Idalia caused billion-dollar damage across North Florida early in the season in late August 2023. The storm reached a destructive category 4 level with significant flooding and destruction, from splitting trees in half to ripping roofs, across its path in the Southeast.

Scientists warn that if we don’t take action to reverse climate change, extreme weather will only continue to worsen. Below are some other startling facts about hurricanes.

On an average three-year period, roughly five hurricanes hit US coastlines and kill 50-100 people, according to the National Weather Service.
Ninety percent of all hurricane deaths occur from storm surges, according to National Geographic.
Hurricane winds can reach up to nearly 200 miles per hour, according to National Geographic.
Just one inch of water can cause $27,000 in damages to the average home, according to SBP.
Scientists predict that there will be a 45-87 percent increase in the frequency of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the continental US in the remainder of the 21st century, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

First, what are hurricanes?

Hurricanes are powerful storms that form due to a complex mix of weather factors contributing to their formation, intensification, and progression. Hurricanes usually develop over warm ocean waters with a temperature of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As the storm grows, it gains energy from evaporation and condensation, which releases heat.

Meteorologists have developed a way to categorize hurricanes using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale ranges from Category 1 (least severe) to Category 5 (most severe) based on the wind speed and potential damage caused by the storm. The scale considers storm surge, heavy rainfall, and wind damage.

By predicting the potential severity of a storm, communities can take measures to protect themselves from the destructive forces that these storms can unleash.

Preparing for the storm

Living in a hurricane-prone area requires you to be alert during the hurricane season, which runs from August to November, for any significant storms that may be approaching.

The American Red Cross recommends that you put together a survival kit. Keep your supplies in an emergency preparedness kit that is easy to carry and can be used at home or taken with you if you need to evacuate before hurricane landfall.

If ordered to, evacuate immediately and go to a safe place. Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.
Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.
Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The following best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
If you are in an area likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before flood waters reach you.

If you had to evacuate, it’s crucial to avoid returning to your home until local officials confirm that it’s safe and you have all the necessary supplies. If a hurricane or flooding damages your house, it should be inspected and cleaned thoroughly.

Immediate response after the hurricane passes

Nonprofit organizations provide relief during disasters on a global scale. Short-term disaster recovery efforts aim to reestablish essential services such as water, food, and medical care, which are essential for survival in the aftermath of a disaster. On the other hand, long-term recovery efforts focus on rebuilding community structures that the disaster has destroyed.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), long-term recovery can take up to five years. The focus is on creating stable structures to withstand severe weather events better. Donations to nonprofits like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army go toward:

Establish safe shelters before the storm arrives.
Stock supplies in preparation for hurricane victims.
Hand out water, food, and emergency supplies to affected communities.
Provide medical care for anyone in need.

Crowdfunding for natural disasters

Crowdfunding for disaster relief brings people together to help disaster-stricken areas. You can create a fundraiser to raise money for your volunteer efforts or raise funds for a nonprofit disaster relief organization. You have the power to create a fundraiser to support your volunteer work or help a family in need after a disaster. You can also dedicate funds to a nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief. Spread the word among your community on NextDoor, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook platforms.

How to help hurricane victims

Recovering from a hurricane can be a long, arduous process, especially for those who aren’t prepared with a disaster survival kit or insurance. From days after the hurricane to months later, communities need help picking up the pieces. Here are some of the most effective ways you can help.

Send cash

While rounding up used items like coats and blankets for victims might seem like a good idea, relief organizations advise against it. These types of donations, including food and water, can clog up distribution channels and create more work for relief workers, according to NPR. Cash donations to a nonprofit involved in recovery efforts are one of the most effective ways to provide immediate help to those in need.

Donate blood

By donating blood through the American Red Cross, you can save up to three lives. The entire donation process takes 45 minutes, but the actual blood donation is just 8-10 minutes. This simple but powerful gift can truly have a lasting impact. To find your nearest Red Cross, visit the Red Cross website.

Donate your time

If you’re near the affected area and want to help firsthand with relief and rebuilding efforts, there are numerous reputable organizations you can partner with. Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity work to provide safe and reliable shelter for victims, while organizations like Airbnb sometimes offer a special way for hosts near an affected area to open their homes to those in need. If you need help finding charities to work with, take a look at our blog post “How to Find Charities Near me?”

Use GoFundMe to start a hurricane relief fund

After a hurricane strikes, it’s crucial for communities to receive financial assistance right away. While the government offers grants and other financial assistance to individuals and small businesses, the application process is typically quite long and grants can be competitive.

Everyone from small business owners to individuals have turned to crowdfunding to receive hurricane relief donations right away.

Starting a fundraiser on GoFundMe takes just a few minutes, and our platform makes it simple to share your fundraiser with everyone you know. Our fundraising platform means you can keep more of the donations you receive, so you can help more people who need it most.

Here are a few of our favorite fundraising ideas:

Start a relief fundraiser for someone in the community who was affected by a hurricane.
Fundraise to help a business rebuild.
Contact city officials and find out what is most needed in recovery efforts, then start a fundraiser based on community needs.
Launch a fundraiser for your favorite nonprofit that is helping in the wake of the natural disaster.

If you’re hungry for more resources on crowdfunding for natural disasters, these other blog posts might be for you:

Successful hurricane relief fundraiser examples

Hurricanes caused widespread destruction in these communities, but these community members met the challenge of rebuilding their homes and lives with strength and resilience. GoFundMe helped ease the financial burden for them, making recovery and relief efforts that much easier.

Chip & Shannon Rebuilding Memories

After Hurricane Florence dumped an estimated eight trillion gallons of rain on North Carolina, few towns escaped widespread flood damage. The Forsythe family was among those whose home was severely damaged by rainwater. Unfortunately, the family didn’t have flood insurance since they were told they were not in a flood zone. To completely rebuild their downstairs and replace the roof, the family started a GoFundMe. Friends and family members donated over $18,000 to help the Forsythes start over.

Help Joe and Pam fix their home

Beloved community members Joe and Pam received an unexpected surprise from Hurricane Michael when it swept through Tallahassee in October of 2018. The powerful winds flung a giant pine tree across the roof of their home, causing about $45,000 worth of damage. Due to a mixup with their insurance coverage, none of the damage from the tree was covered. Their friend Wendy stepped up and started a GoFundMe for the couple to help with repair costs. The fundraiser brought in over $18,000 in less than two months.

Citarelli House Renovation Fund

The Citarelli family realized the true extent of Hurricane Florence’s destruction while watching the local news. After evacuating their home, they later saw the gray and white structure of their house on the television, submerged up to its roof in flood water. Without flood insurance or support from FEMA, they started a GoFundMe to cover rebuilding expenses. Their fundraiser raised an astounding $27,045 in just a few months to help them repair their house.

Help hurricane victims rebuild

In the aftermath of a hurricane, rebuilding can be a difficult and costly process. Thankfully, there are many ways to help hurricane victims, whether it’s donating to them directly or starting a fundraiser to get others involved. If you’d like to make a difference for a family, business, or an entire community, sign up to create a fundraiser to raise hurricane relief funds on GoFundMe today.

Start a fundraiser