Press & News

Convoy of Hope Is Deploying Supplies & Relief Team as Ian Makes Landfall in Florida

SPRINGFIELD, MO — SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 — A relief team from Convoy of Hope is set to deploy to Florida in the next few hours. Convoy trucks, response vehicles, and disaster response personnel are making final preparations.

Once teams are en route, they will pre-position themselves in a safe zone outside the storm’s path and wait until it is safe to proceed. They will immediately move in once the storm has passed and begin assisting survivors.

The eyewall of Hurricane Ian is already rolling ashore near Fort Meyers, Florida, several hours ahead of schedule. Numerous watches and warnings have been issued for Florida and up into South Carolina pertaining to storm surge and hurricane-force winds.

According to CNN, tidal surge is washing over roads in Lee County, Florida. In Sarasota, Florida, law enforcement was withdrawn after the mayor deemed the sustained wind pressure too hazardous. Areas in the hurricane’s path could experience dangerous storm surge as high as 18 feet, according to AP News. The damage will likely be catastrophic.

Meanwhile, parts of Cuba sustained 5 to 8 feet of storm surge in Ian’s wake. At least two people have lost their lives.

Volunteers at Convoy of Hope’s World Distribution Center have packed thousands of pounds of relief supplies ahead of time, making a quick departure possible. These resources will serve as a lifeline for survivors of the storm.

Media Assets

Convoy of Hope’s visual asset websites will be updated frequently during the response. 

  • • To access B-roll of Convoy’s preparation for and response to Hurricane Ian, visit vimeo.com/showcase/convoypress. Use “coh” as the password. 
  • • Still pictures are available for free use by the media at h.ope.is/3BuiYGT.

For on-the-ground interviews with Convoy of Hope National Spokesperson Ethan Forhetz, call (417) 848-8123.

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world. With a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator every year since 2002. Convoy of Hope has served more than 200 million people since it was founded in 1994. For more information, please visit convoyofhope.org.