Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a “dangerous Category 3” storm near Siesta Key, on Florida's central west coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In its wake, the storm has left over 3 million customers without power and caused “catastrophic damage” across the region. Immense winds from the storm also generated 150 tornadoes, adding to the destruction Floridians saw from Hurricane Helene just a couple of weeks prior.
As of the writing of this article, at least 10 people have been declared dead, and thousands are at risk for further flooding in the coming hours and days.
The loss of life and impact on the communities in both Helene’s and Milton’s paths is unfathomable — and both the immediate and long-term needs are vast.
If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you want to help and care about making a difference for those who’ve been impacted by Hurricane Milton.
You’re in the right place. When we see tragedy like this happen in the news, it’s important to not tune it out. Instead, pay attention and truly feel the heartbreak of it — then, look for and be inspired by the people stepping in to help, and use that energy to make a difference ourselves.
How to make a difference
After we’ve allowed ourselves to feel the weight of the pain and heartbreak associated with bad news, and look for hope and helpers in the midst of it — we always have the opportunity to join in and make a difference, too.
Here are some ways to help — whether you’re local or far away:
Donate to national organizations
Here are just a few large-scale organizations that have helpers on the ground in the region.
- American Red Cross
- World Central Kitchen
- Feeding America
- United Way
- Salvation Army
- CARE
- Project HOPE
- The Humane Society of the United States’ Emergency Animal Relief Fund
- Baby2Baby
- Save The Children
- Direct Relief
- Aerial Recovery
- Samaritan’s Purse
Donate to local organizations
Local organizations, recovery funds, and mutual aid groups have been deployed across the region most impacted by Milton. Find donation links and updates below:
- Florida Disaster Fund
- Feeding Tampa Bay
- Metro Ministries
- Community Foundation Tampa Bay
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation
- Collier Comes Together
Volunteer locally
Organizations in the affected area are seeking volunteers to help distribute resources and support crucial aid efforts. While many of us are not local to the region, those who are nearby are encouraged to join in a myriad of volunteer opportunities.
(Note: If you aren't in the area, the best way you can help is by supporting local efforts with a donation. Keeping roads clear for rescue crews and local relief agents is vital in maintaining safety in these already devastated areas).
For local volunteers, check out:
Contact your elected officials and ask them to take climate action
Climate scientists agree, the intensity and extent of the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene — and now, Hurricane Milton — was made worse by climate change.
While we can’t go back in time and burn less fossil fuels — we can make a difference now to secure a safer future and prevent future climate disasters.
In addition to talking about how this disaster is connected to climate change in our own conversations and holding media outlets accountable for how they talk about climate change — this is a great time to tell your elected officials that you want them to take meaningful climate action.
We’re making incredible progress in the U.S. and globally in reducing emissions, but we need to work even faster — and incorporate climate mitigation efforts into our plans — to limit the most severe impacts of global warming.
