Hurricane Idalia Response: Convoy Teams & Supplies Are There To Help

September 14, 2023 | 2:25 p.m

Convoy of Hope remains on the ground in Florida following Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall as a Category 3 in late August. Through local partnerships and community leaders, Convoy can identify what the greatest needs are in the region and how to best serve those impacted. 

Convoy has served tens of thousands of people in the disaster zone, ensuring they receive essential relief supplies like food, water, hygiene kits, and cleaning supplies. Through mobile and drive-thru distribution, individuals and families receive help and the knowledge that they are not alone as they continue on the journey of recovery and rebuilding.

September 6, 2023 | 3:30 p.m.

This week, Convoy of Hope served more than 1,000 cars through mobile and drive-thru distributions in Perry, Florida. Additional loads of cleaning supplies, food, and water are being delivered daily. So far, more than 287,000 pounds of relief supplies have made it into the hands of people in need after Hurricane Idalia struck the region with heavy wind and rain. 

While people are still recovering from the damage of Idalia, Tropical Storm Lee is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane by the end of today and a major hurricane by the end of the week. 

2023’s Lee is currently moving westward toward the Caribbean Sea as a Category 1 storm. It looks as though it will reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday.

Locations that could be affected past that are still in question. Anyone living on the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, or the Bahamas should keep a close eye on the forecast.

Convoy of Hope will continue providing relief to those affected by Hurricane Idalia and is also prepared to respond should another hurricane make landfall.

September 3, 2023 | 1:53 p.m.

Convoy of Hope has distributed nearly 170,000 pounds of food, water, and relief supplies to more than 8,800 survivors of Hurricane Idalia. Yesterday alone, Convoy’s teams served more than 475 cars in Perry, Florida — one of the communities that received the brunt of Idalia’s flooding and high winds. 

Convoy also delivered relief supplies to a community partner in Berrien County, Georgia, that will use the supplies to help people throughout the entire county. 

As Atlantic hurricane season continues to unfold, it isn’t too late for anyone living in harm’s way to prepare. Download Convoy’s Hurricane Preparedness Checklist to ensure you and your loved ones have everything you need for future storms.

September 2, 2023 | 11:42 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is running distributions of essential relief supplies in hard-hit Perry, Florida. Convoy has distributed more than 129,000 pounds of relief supplies to individuals and families in need.

As of this morning, more than 63,000 people are still without power in Florida. The outages are likely to continue for several more days. Survivors are still reeling from Hurricane Idalia, and their situation is exacerbated by the lack of air conditioning in the heat and humidity. 

As people begin to assess damage and look to rebuild what they’ve lost, Convoy is there to make sure they don’t have to worry where their next meal will come from.

September 1, 2023 | 11:29 a.m.

Convoy of Hope continues to distribute food, water, and relief supplies to survivors of Hurricane Idalia. Convoy and local partners will host distributions in Florida throughout the weekend to make sure residents in the disaster zone know they are seen and cared for.

Idalia’s rain and hurricane-force winds did the most damage in wide swaths of Florida and Georgia. According to the Associated Press, more than 95,000 Florida residents are still without power, and Georgia residents are grappling with the damage that the 90 mph winds did to their communities. Many areas saw 4-6 foot storm surge as the storm made landfall Wednesday morning.

August 31, 2023 | 3:51 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is distributing aid in Perry, Florida, as Idalia — now a tropical storm — reenters the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina. Survivors are receiving food, water, and relief supplies that can be difficult to come by in the aftermath of the storm.

Distributions will continue throughout the weekend. Follow the response here or on Convoy’s social media channels for the latest updates.

August 31, 2023 | 9:07 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Perry, Florida, assessing damage and meeting with local officials and partners to see how Convoy can help meet the needs of those impacted. 

Yesterday, Hands of Hope volunteers and Convoy team members packed more than 4,000 bags of groceries that are now headed to the disaster zone with other essential supplies. People in need will receive food, water, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, tarps, baby care items, and more. 

Idalia is expected to move offshore today, but will remain a tropical storm as it does. As the damage left behind becomes more clear, Convoy of Hope is ready to provide relief to those affected.

August 30, 2023 | 2:35 p.m.

This morning, Convoy of Hope sent additional resources to the Southeast from its World Distribution Center. Volunteers packed groceries for families affected by Hurricane Idalia. As soon as the storm passes, Convoy will enter the disaster zone and start distributing food, water, and other relief supplies to assist people in need.

Earlier this morning, Idalia slammed Florida’s Big Bend area, bringing deadlier storm surge and wind gust than that part of the Gulf has seen in 125 years. Some areas — like the island city of Cedar Key — are experiencing 9 feet of storm surge. 

Hurricane Idalia downgraded to a Category 1 storm with 85 mph winds as it passed through Georgia. As of this afternoon, more than 270,000 Florida residents and more than 114,000 Georgia residents are without power.

August 30, 2023 | 7:45 a.m.

Hurricane Idalia officially made landfall at 7:45 a.m. EDT along Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm. Convoy of Hope is in the area and will distribute food, water, and relief supplies within the disaster zone as soon as the storm passes. 

According to NPR, Idalia intensified to a Category 4 storm early Wednesday morning with sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm weakened only slightly as it came ashore, but the slight decrease in intensity officially downgraded it to a very powerful Category 3 storm.

The Weather Channel is reporting a storm surge of 4-6 feet above normal high tide across the region. A​ tornado watch is in effect for parts of Florida and Georgia.

August 29, 2023 | 3:58 p.m.

In preparation for the coming hurricane, Convoy of Hope is en route to Florida with essential relief supplies, such as food, water, tarps, and more. Convoy is prepared to provide vital supplies to those affected by the hurricane. 

Currently, Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall along Florida’s west coast around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. 

Though Hurricane Idalia will make landfall in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia will likely feel the effects, experiencing rain, wind, and flooding, due to the slight westward shifts of the storm’s projected path. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency for the state, followed closely by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s state of emergency declaration.

August 29, 2023 | 11:23 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is en route to Florida ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall. The storm is expected to intensify considerably as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico and makes landfall in Florida late tonight into early tomorrow morning. Convoy is ready to bring help and hope to people affected by the hurricane. 

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay warned of a storm surge — the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm — as high as 7 inches. Shorelines further north could receive 12 inches, along with heavy rains and hurricane-force winds. Tornadoes are also possible. 

Warm water is fuel for a hurricane, and the waters of the Gulf are hotter than they’ve ever been before. Florida Sen. Rick Scott posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: 

If you or your family is in the current path of Hurricane Idalia, check out this Hurricane Preparedness Checklist to ensure you have everything you need for this and future disasters.

August 28, 2023 | 3:31 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is actively preparing to respond to Tropical Storm Idalia. Food, water, and relief supplies are en route toward the region where the storm is expected to make landfall.

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to increase to a Category 3 hurricane as it barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm is also expected to impact western Cuba with heavy wind and rain. Convoy of Hope stands ready to respond. 

Idalia is expected to hit the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle as early as late Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Storm surge and hurricane watches are currently in effect. 

As of this morning, the storm is about 50 miles off the western tip of Cuba, headed toward the United States.  

Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 33 counties in Florida as the state prepares for landfall. President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida.

Convoy of Hope is regularly one of the first response teams on the scene of a disaster. Convoy response vehicles filled with relief supplies will head into the disaster zone as soon as possible.

If you or your family is in the current path of Hurricane Idalia, check out this Hurricane Preparedness Checklist to ensure you have everything you need as Hurricane Idalia barrels toward the East Coast.