On Tuesday, Hurricane Ian hit Cuba, leaving the entire country without power and causing at least two deaths. By Thursday, Ian had traveled up through southwest Florida, causing more destruction and at least 2.6 million power outages.
Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis said Ian would “rank as one of the top five hurricanes to ever hit the Florida peninsula” and predicted that it could take years to recover from the damage. Storm surges and rapid coastal floods were expected to rise up to 18 feet above ground level — an unprecedented rate for Florida’s west coast. The hurricane also reached 150-mph sustained winds.
In Florida, first responders are facing difficulty trying to reach those stranded in record-breaking floods, and two bridges that connect Florida barrier islands to the mainland have been destroyed, meaning that the only way to get help to these places is via boat. On Thursday, President Joe Biden said there were early reports indicating “what may be substantial loss of life.” As of Friday morning, there were at least four reported deaths.
Downgraded to a tropical storm, Ian is expected to travel to South Carolina and Georgia next, with South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia all declaring states of emergency. Across Cuba and Florida, first responders and residents are dealing with the effects of Ian. This hurricane comes shortly after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico.
If you’re able, here are organizations accepting donations to help:
- Dream Defenders, a Florida organization led by young BIPOC whose work spans advocating for prison reform to teaching Black history, is currently accepting items like water and first-aid kits, monetary donations, and volunteers.
- Core is coordinating with local organizations in Florida to provide relief. They are accepting donations.
- Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund, which is Florida’s official private fund for Florida communities in times of emergency or disaster.
- Global Giving is accepting donations to provide food, emergency supplies, and more throughout Cuba and Florida.
- Roots of Hope, a nonprofit Cuban youth organization, is collecting donations to help Cuban families.
- The People’s Forum, an NYC movement incubator for working-class and marginalized communities, is collecting donations for Cuba.
- Direct Relief has sent emergency and medial supplies to Cuba and Florida. They are accepting donations.
- Disaster Relief at Work is helping recovery efforts in Florida. They are accepting monetary donations and supplies.
- Convoy of Hope is providing relief supplies in Florida (and Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona). They are accepting donations.
- Feeding America is helping to get food to those impacted by the storm. Donate to their disaster-response fund.
- Babycycle, a diaper bank, is accepting donations to send supplies to Florida.
- Mercy Chefs, a disaster-relief organization that provides chef-prepared meals, is gearing up to provide 30,000 meals each day in Florida. It is accepting donations.
- Operation BBQ is providing meals for first responders and victims of Hurricane Ian. It is accepting donations and volunteers.
- Project HOPE has an emergency response team in Florida and is distributing supplies across the state. It is accepting donations.
This post has been updated.