Disaster

In September 2018, as Hurricane Florence slowly
bore down on the Eastern North Carolina coast, the
Red Cross stood ready to assist threatened communities.
Thanks to the year-round support of our disaster relief
donors, we quickly marshaled thousands of trained
volunteers and prepositioned relief supplies, plus
the vehicles and equipment needed to deliver relief
to devastated neighborhoods and support shelters
and field kitchens.

As Florence came ashore near Wilmington, N.C., and
during its slow trek across North and South Carolina,
the Red Cross was there—boosted by a generous
outpouring of support from the public. In the storm’s
wake, rising rivers and streams continued to inundate
communities in the Carolinas for days and even weeks—
for many residents, this was the second major hurricane
and flooding event they had endured in three years.
Bringing help when it was needed most, our dedicated
volunteers and employees worked around the clock
through treacherous conditions, providing vital aid for
tens of thousands of residents impacted by this latest
devastating hurricane.

When the emergency phase of our response ended,
the Red Cross turned its focus to planning and
delivering programs to help people recover and
address lingering community needs. Now, one year
after Hurricane Florence inundated communities across
the Carolinas, the Red Cross continues to provide
recovery support.

We are working with local and state governments,
nonprofit partners, faith-based organizations and
community-based long-term recovery groups to
provide ongoing assistance for people impacted
by this devastating storm. As of September 3, 2019,
the Red Cross has spent approximately $18 million
to support individual and community recovery from
Hurricane Florence. These funds have provided
additional financial assistance to households that
need extra help, as well as funding grants for
community-based recovery services.

Learn more at redcross.org/florence