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Communities affected by Hurricane Helene’s disastrous strike last week are scrambling to seek support, rebuild and consider the best path forward, as many fear the likelihood of another wave of weather events impacting the Southeast. Hurricane Helene quickly moved through the region with at least five states reporting high number of fatalities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Florida. According to one source, Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane with an 800-mile path of destruction, is considered the “worst event in office history” according to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The challenge with Hurricane Helene, known for its immense size, powerful winds, and speed, is that the storm itself is only part of the problem; the real test comes in dealing with the aftermath. Collapsed roads, destroyed electric grids and high waters producing flood concerns, continues to be top of mind for governors and state-level officials seeking help.
At BOMA International, we encourage locals to take action in providing crucial resources and aid to communities in need. According to a report by PBS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that the needs required for each state affected by Hurricane Helene vary, so we suggest that locals determine the biggest issues that need addressing and go from there. For instance, as the PBS report determined, 850,000 people in South Carolina were without power Sunday afternoon, which leaves contacting for help increasingly difficult. By following local officials in your state, you can support their initiatives in providing efficient disaster relief.
Interested in learning more about how you can help? Read the below tips FEMA provides to learn more:
Volunteer to help. Sign up to volunteer with a reputable group or organization. Do not go by yourself to a disaster area. Look up volunteer opportunities on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website.
Cash is the best donation. It’s important to donate responsibly. When people support voluntary organizations with financial contributions, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need after a disaster.
Identify what is needed. Before donating supplies connect with organizations working in the affected area to find out how much is needed and when it is needed.
Click here to access more BOMA resources to assist in emergency preparedness, and do not hesitate to reach out to your BOMA local for support. BOMA International is here to support communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene, offering assistance when it’s needed most.