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Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene Response

Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene - Red Cross Response and Disaster Relief in North Florida

The American Red Cross is working 24/7 with partners in the Florida Panhandle and in other North Florida communities to make sure people have the support they need.
Find Open Shelters

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help.  Shelter Information>>

Updated October 10, 2024

The American Red Cross is working nonstop, alongside our partners, to support the 83,000 people taking refuge in Florida evacuation shelters Wednesday night (10/09/24) as Hurricane Milton slammed into our beleaguered state.

Urban Search and Rescue teams are already in hard hit communities – many still reeling from impacts of Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago. The American Red Cross is working closely alongside state and government partners to identify immediate community needs and piece together a fuller account of overall damage and impact. When it is safe to do so, teams of Red Crossers armed with meals and snacks, water, relief supplies, clean up kits and more will begin canvassing communities in Emergency Response Vehicles. Until then, our main priorities are providing safe, comfortable shelters for individuals and families who are unable to return home and providing meals to those in our care in shelter facilities.

Access to information, especially in times of disaster, is a service for communities in need. That’s why the Red Cross Emergency App and website now share real-time service delivery sites, including financial assistance centers, recovery assistance sites, relief supply distribution sites and shelter locations. This information is crucial, as it ensures that responders, partners and impacted communities understand where the Red Cross is deployed and what resources will be available. www.redcross.org/shelter

Anyone who needs a safe place to stay or a warm meal can find shelter information by clicking here, by accessing the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

All disaster assistance is free. We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and where they were living before the disaster.

Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Pets are welcome. All disaster assistance is free.

Los refugios de la Cruz Roja están abiertos a todas las personas necesitadas, independientemente de su raza, religión, identidad de género, orientación sexual o estado de ciudadanía. Las mascotas son bienvenidas. Toda la asistencia en caso de desastre es gratuita.

How to Find Help

Many areas remain inaccessible. If you need assistance, please consider coming to a shelter.

  • We know connectivity is difficult, but if you can, first download the Red Cross Emergency app to find service locations or visit redcross.org/gethelp.
  • You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news.
  • If you’re unable to access the information you need, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Please be aware that you may experience a long wait time due to the large call volume we are receiving.

 

Learn more about Red Cross assistance:
 

 

Find Loved Ones After Hurricanes Milton and Helene

If you are having trouble connecting with family or friends after Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Red Cross Reunification Teams may be able to help »

Recovering Emotionally After a Disaster - to reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.  Call our Disaster Distress Helpline or read more here.

Up-to-the-minute response information - our Facebook feed is updated throughout the day
volunteer on phone at scene of damage

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September 30, 2024. Cedar, Florida.

American Red Cross volunteer Kim Mailes surveys the destruction in Cedar Key, Florida, after Hurricane Helene devasted the town. Huge mountains of destruction line the streets, the power is out, and the only grocery store in thirty miles was totally destroyed. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from across the country have arrived and are delivering food and emergency supplies to the community to help those affected as they begin their road to recovery.

Photo by Marko kokic/American Red Cross
volunteer viewing photo at house of damage

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September 30, 2024. Cedar, Florida.

American Red Cross volunteer Darla Chesson surveys the major damage to a home in Cedar Key, Florida, caused by Hurricane Helene. Families are salvaging what few mementoes they can find, and summoning the courage to begin to rebuild. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers are deployed across northern Florida, providing disaster recovery assistance to those affected as they begin their roads to recovery.


Photo by Marko kokic/American Red Cross
damage from hurricane helene

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September 30, 2024. Cedar, Florida.

Huge mountains of destruction line the streets, the power is out, and the only grocery store in town was totally destroyed after Hurricane Helene devastated Cedar Key, Florida. Hundreds of American Red Cross volunteers from across the country have arrived and are delivering food and emergency supplies to the community to help those affected as they begin their road to recovery.

Photo by Marko kokic/American Red Cross
volunteer sitting with family at shelter

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September 29, 2024. Perry, Florida.

Dr. Thomas Barela,an American Red Cross disaster health services volunteer from Seattle, visits with Amber and her family at the Red Cross shelter in Perry, Florida, after Hurricane Helene devasted the family’s home. “I can’t really know what it’s like to be in their situation,” he said, “but I can be here for them. I just try to be as supportive as I can to help them cope.” Amber and her family found refuge at the American Red Cross emergency shelter in Perry, Florida, after Hurricane Helene devastated their home.

Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross
volunteer viewing damage

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September 29, 2024. Steinhatchee, Florida.

American Red Cross volunteer Kim Mailes surveys the damage in Steinhatchee, Florida after Hurricane Helene devasted the region. The Red Cross is providing shelter, food and water, and recovery support for those affected by the disaster.


Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross
volunteers handing out water to civilians

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September 30, 2024. Cedar, Florida.

After Hurricane Helene devastated Cedar Key, Florida, American Red Cross volunteers Ken Edelblute and Thomas Read deliver shelf stable meals to those affected (center - Brian Kiel) (left - Fred Wilson). The only grocery store in the town was destroyed, and the meal kits can feed an entire family.


Photo by Marko kokic/American Red Cross
volunteer speaking with resident at scene of damaged home

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September 29, 2024. Steinhatchee, Florida.

American Red Cross volunteer Kim Mailes offers support to Garry in his hometown of Steinhatchee, Florida, after Hurricane Helene devastated the area. “It passed right through here,” Garry said, “and it scared me to death. I’ve been through three hurricanes in the past fifteen months — and this was the worst.” The climate crisis is causing repetitive disasters in many parts of the country. And, just as a communities begin to recover, they’re hit again. “This has been happening to us again and again,” Garry said. “But the Red Cross has been here every time.”


Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross
disaster relief vehicle in front of damage in neighborhood

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September 30, 2024. Cedar, Florida.

American Red Cross emergency response vehicles are delivering meals to people all across northern Florida who were affected by Hurricane Helene. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers are working throughout the affected area, bringing relief as communities begin their roads to recovery.

Photo by Marko kokic/American Red Cross

What We've Done So Far

Service Delivery Totals for Hurricane Helene as of 10/10/2024 (across mulitiple states):

To support those affected by Hurricane Helene, some 3,100 Red Cross responders are working around the clock with dozens of partners to get help to people as quickly as possible. Across our disaster relief operations, the Red Cross and our partners have provided:

 

  • Nearly 560,000 meals and snacks to people in need in shelters and along mobile feeding routes
  • Almost 35,000 emergency relief supplies, including clean-up kits, to more than 7,700 households.
  • Relief and recovery services to almost 24,500 individuals.
lives saved stat

Provided relief and recovery services to almost 24,500 individuals

smoke alarms stat

Nearly 560,000 meals and snacks served with partners

households stat

More than 3,100 Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground to support relief efforts

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