Convoy Is Distributing Relief to Communities Affected by Helene

October 9, 2024 | 8:15 a.m.

Floridians are scrambling to evacuate as monstrous Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Milton is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area as a catastrophic Category 4 storm. 

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Florida with pre-positioned team members and relief supplies. 

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for more than 20 counties, including the Tampa area, the Florida Keys, and Miami-Dade county. Hurricanes generate powerful winds themselves, but the storm system can also produce tornadoes even days after it moves inland. 

Additionally, Milton is likely to strike Fort Myers, which took the brunt of Hurricane Ian in 2022.

October 8, 2024 | 3:25 p.m.

When Convoy responds to a disaster, we get the unique opportunity to see communities come together and help each other. 

Last week, Convoy of Hope partnered with Vidalia First Assembly, Vidalia High School, and the Vidalia police department in Georgia to serve hundreds of Hurricane Helene survivors at a drive-thru distribution. The distribution took place at the local high school since it’s located in the center of town. Several sports teams — football, volleyball, cheer, and tennis — volunteered and served in the distribution lines. 

The police department helped direct the lines of cars. The mayor of Vidalia, Doug Roper, jumped in and served his community. More than 70 volunteers from the community came together to take care of their neighbors. 

Even in the drive-thru lines, people took care of each other. One woman receiving relief supplies brought extra diapers to give to someone in need. As her car pulled away from the distribution, another group of cars pulled through. One family asked specifically for diapers, and because of that woman’s generosity, we had diapers to give them. 

Later in the day, one man’s car broke down in the distribution line. Several people from surrounding cars jumped out and helped him get his car running again. 

An elderly couple from Vidalia First Assembly had lost their car and mobile home to two different trees during the storm. With power lines down, their pastor hadn’t been able to get into contact with them. Then they came through Convoy’s distribution. 

“It was such a blessing to see them and know they’re okay,” Vidalia First Assembly Pastor Joe Gabbard said. “They pulled over and got out and we were able to hug them and cry with them.”

Another family from Vidalia First Assembly came and served together — the mom, Marisol, wasn’t sure where she could help, but she was willing to do whatever was needed. 

Marisol was a vital part of the distribution. As cars came through the lines, some families didn’t speak English. Marisol acted as a translator for these families and ensured they felt loved and cared for as they received relief supplies. 

Hurricane Helene devastated Vidalia, Georgia, but the community used that as an opportunity to care for each other and serve their neighbors through partnership with Convoy of Hope. 

“You guys met a tremendous need,” said Joe Gabbard. “It was a huge blessing to our community.”

October 7, 2024 | 4:35 p.m.

Distributions have taken place in 40 communities across six different states in the Southeast and are continuing so Hurricane Helene survivors can get the supplies they need. 

Convoy team members, volunteers, and partners are working hard to distribute groceries, water, sports drinks, tarps, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, illumination kits, and more to individuals and families. 

In a temporary warehouse in Morganton, North Carolina, more than 65 volunteers bagged over 2,000 bags of groceries to distribute in the surrounding communities. Across the Southeast, nearly 500 volunteers have mobilized with Convoy to help serve their neighbors.

On the ground in North Carolina, the sunny, 70-degree weather seems in direct opposition to the destructive wind and rain of last week and the feeling of defeat as so many people return to find their homes and businesses destroyed. A foot of mud covers most parking lots and pours into buildings. Entire communities were washed away — the land unrecognizable in the aftermath. 

Recovery — even a return to some semblance of normalcy — will take time. Convoy is there to be a helping hand in these communities, providing supplies, support, and hope to people in desperate need.

October 6, 2024 | 4:18 p.m.

Convoy of Hope has distributed more than 1.1 million pounds of product to tens of thousands of residents in 40 communities across seven Southeastern states in response to Hurricane Helene’s historic devastation. Distributions will continue this week, even as another hurricane is almost certain to hit Florida.

The flooding and destruction Helene wrought has killed at least 220 people. Power is back on for many, but more than 370,000 people across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are still without electricity 10 days after Helene made landfall. 

Nestled among Virginia’s rolling mountains, the town of Tazewell is one such place. Very few supplies have been brought to the area, and there is an overwhelming need for water and ready-to-eat meals. When Convoy of Hope got in touch with a local partner to coordinate bringing in supplies, the partner was touched. “No one has reached out to us yet.”

Florida is bracing for yet another potentially deadly weather impact as Tropical Storm Milton forms in the western Gulf of Mexico. Milton is expected to make landfall in the Tampa, Florida, area as a major Category 3 hurricane. While it is a potentially smaller, less powerful storm than Helene, it is forecast to hit a much more densely populated area of the state. Convoy is once again preparing to respond and will be there to distribute relief and offer hope should disaster strike.

October 5, 2024 | 1:48 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in six different states, serving communities in desperate need after Hurricane Helene.

In June, Convoy partnered with SpartanNash, a nationwide food distributor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to pack 15,000 boxes of meals and hygiene kits for families impacted by disasters. These boxes have been pivotal in helping survivors of Hurricane Helene. 

One family of eight who received these boxes of food had been without power, water, and groceries for a week. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office was doing welfare checks in secluded areas of Lafayette County, Florida, when they found several children bathing in a river because they didn’t have running water. 

After speaking with their parents and discovering they hadn’t had food or water since Helene blew through the area, the sheriff’s department called Convoy of Hope. In partnership with the sheriff’s department and SpartanNash, Convoy sent ice, coolers, hygiene kits, food boxes, and ready-to-eat meals to the family.

The need is great across the Southeast. Convoy has served more than 57,000 people, and we’re not done. As people begin to return to what is left of their homes, Convoy is there to ensure they are fed and have the supplies they need to begin recovering.

October 4, 2024 | 11:51 a.m.

Even amid such devastation, the resilience of Hurricane Helene survivors is incredible. Convoy of Hope is on the ground in North Carolina and throughout the southeastern U.S. delivering desperately needed relief to communities. 

Hundreds of thousands of homes remain without power, and tens of thousands still don’t have access to running water. Extensive damage to roads and infrastructure has isolated many remote communities and prevented relief teams from reaching residents with vital supplies. In addition, the lack of cellular service has increased the communication difficulties in the affected areas. 

The devastation caused by Helene has been termed as catastrophic, and the recovery efforts will last months, if not years.

October 3, 2024 | 5:03 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, distributing relief supplies to devastated people all over the Southeast. 

Work continues in Asheville, North Carolina, where more than 500 families were served through drive-thru distribution yesterday. Additionally, Convoy is getting supplies to residents in Perry, Florida, and Vidalia, Georgia. 

Nearly 1 million people are still without power. Clean water, hygiene supplies, and ready-to-eat food are vital resources when there is no electricity and water supplies have been compromised by floodwaters.

Helene’s devastation is widespread, but through partnerships with churches and local organizations, Convoy is bringing hope to people in five different states in the Southeast.

October 2, 2024 | 1:15 p.m.

Convoy of Hope has already served thousands of families across the Southeast in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Distributions continue in Florida, and distributions will begin today in Asheville, North Carolina. Multiple truckloads carrying immediate relief supplies have been dispatched from Convoy’s World Distribution Center, and supplies have been delivered in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Helene is now the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland United States in the last 55 years — more than 175 people have lost their lives. Only 2005’s Hurricane Katrina was deadlier.  President Biden has approved the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of essential supplies to the most-affected areas. Nearly a week after Helene made landfall, more than 1.3 million customers are still without power across multiple states. The path of destruction Helene left is more than 500 miles long, stretching from Florida to the Southern Appalachians.

October 1, 2024 | 12:50 p.m.

More than 40 trillion gallons of rain have drenched the Southeast since Hurricane Helene made landfall — that’s 619 days of constant water flow over Niagara Falls. At least 137 people have died across six states in the aftermath. As many as 600 people haven’t been accounted for as of Monday afternoon. More than 1.5 million customers are still without power.

Convoy of Hope distributions continue in Florida communities affected by Helene’s initial landfall. Convoy is also distributing food, water, cleaning supplies, and hygiene kits in Augusta, Georgia.

In North Carolina, Convoy is sending loads of water to communities where there is none that is clean to drink. Team members will be deploying to western North Carolina today to set up a base of operations that can better serve the needs of those in the area.

Helene will go down as one of the worst storms in U.S. history. Washed-out roads across Georgia and the Carolinas have stranded survivors, and power outages have kept them from contacting loved ones to let them know they are alive. The Associated Press described the disaster zone as “a wasteland of splintered houses, crushed cargo containers and mud-covered highways.” In the Carolinas, the roads are in such bad condition that supplies are being delivered by mules.

September 30, 2024 | 1:28 p.m.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene doubled over the weekend — at least 115 people lost their lives as the storm churned relentlessly through the Southeast. More than 2 million people in the region are without power. Convoy of Hope has teams throughout Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, supplying survivors with the relief they need to make it through this tragic time. 

North Carolina is reeling today from flooding not seen in recent memory. As of Saturday, Helene had dumped a staggering 30 inches of rain in rural areas of the state. Tens of thousands of people have no power, clean drinking water, internet access, or cell phone service. Rapid flooding washed out roads and bridges. The National Guard is telling residents to shelter in place if at all possible — using the roads is too dangerous for thousands of people. Entire homes have disappeared in mudslides. One county alone has reported 30 deaths. 

This weekend, Convoy distributed relief supplies to survivors in Florida. Over two days, more than 1,200 families in the town of Perry received food, water, hygiene kits, sports drinks, and tarps. Additional truckloads of relief supplies left today from Convoy’s World Distribution Center and are headed to Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida.

Convoy’s response to Hurricane Helene is only just beginning — communities throughout the Southeast will need time to pick up the pieces of their lives. Convoy is committed to stand with them and help provide them with the hope they need to endure.

September 29, 2024 | 1:29 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Perry, Florida, distributing much-needed relief supplies to local and surrounding county residents again today. Yesterday, more than 1,500 families received water, groceries, and hygiene supplies. 

Several Perry residents stayed in town and weathered the storm. Essential workers had to stay, and some stayed for their pets or family members who couldn’t leave. 

“The wind was ferocious,” said Perry resident Dana. 

One family who received supplies at the drive-thru distribution said they live in a cinder block house but still felt the effects of Helene’s powerful 140 mph winds.

“You know that weightless feeling you get in an elevator?” Diane, a member of the family, said. “That’s what it felt like.”

Helene’s damage extended beyond Florida. As the storm tracked further inland, it brought devastating winds and flooding across the Southeast. 

Additional loads of relief supplies will leave our World Distribution Center today to head to the Tampa Bay area; Augusta, Georgia; and Morganton, North Carolina. More loads will be delivered across the impact area throughout the week. 

In Augusta, Convoy is working with multiple churches and emergency management to resource weeklong citywide distributions.

Asheville, North Carolina, is experiencing catastrophic flooding. Convoy is working with multiple partners in the area to set up distributions. As the city opens up to outside traffic, Convoy will resource partners to begin serving people in need. With Morganton’s water treatment plant down due to the flood, Convoy is delivering a load of water to serve that community. 

Convoy is in communication with partners on the ground to assess needs in Tennessee as a first step in a wider response.

September 28, 2024 | 3:25 p.m.

Convoy of Hope’s distribution is underway in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which left parts of Florida’s Big Bend region devastated. Helene caused at least 45 storm-related deaths across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Moody’s Analytics expects $15 to $26 billion in property damage. More than 3 million people are still without power.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Perry, Florida, a community that has been devastated by three hurricanes in just over a year. Hurricane Idalia caused widespread damage as a Category 3 hurricane last year. Then the community faced flooding from slow-moving Hurricane Debby in August this year. Now Perry has taken a direct hit from Hurricane Helene.

“It was like an earthquake,” said one Perry resident, who rode out the storm in his motor home. 

Today, Perry residents received groceries, water, and hygiene kits through our drive-thru distribution set up at the sawmill in town. Every family that came through the line talked about the debris, downed trees, loss of power, and, for a few, the total destruction of their homes. 

Several Keaton Beach residents came through the distribution, tears in their eyes as they showed pictures of their inundated homes. Authorities estimate 90% of the homes in Keaton Beach are destroyed. 

Additionally, Convoy sent a load of supplies to hard-hit Steinhatchee, a community of less than 1,000. 

When a storm like Helene rips through small communities like Perry, Keaton Beach, and Steinhatchee, the devastation is felt in every home. Convoy is there to help people get back on their feet and make sure they have what they need to face the coming days of recovery.

“We’ll take it a day at a time,” said Roger, a Perry resident. “Every bit helps.”

To help more people devastated by Hurricane Helene, donate here.

September 28, 2024 | 9:24 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is in the disaster zone, preparing to distribute relief supplies in Perry, Florida, today. Perry is only 10 miles from where the eye of Hurricane Helene made landfall two days ago. This is the third time we’ve been in Perry in two years: Idalia, Debby, and now Helene.

“We’re so grateful for you being here,” Pastor Dave of Perry’s First Assembly of God Church told Convoy team members. “I told my friends, ‘Help is here.’ You people are incredible.”

Distributions of food, water, and relief supplies will start today and continue throughout the weekend. 

More than 40 people have died because of the storm, and more than 3 million people are still without power throughout Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Spoiled food and restricted access to medical services are just two important reasons that prolonged power outages are a huge concern for residents and businesses alike. Temperatures in the Southeast will continue to hover in the upper 80s and lower 90s for the next week, making the situation even more dangerous for the young and elderly. 

Concern has shifted north into the Appalachia region of the United States. Even though Helene is now a post-tropical cyclone, it is bringing “catastrophic, historic flooding” over parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.

September 27, 2024 | 8:24 a.m.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region near Perry, Florida, with 140 mph winds before roaring through Georgia as a strong tropical storm. Helene is the first known Category 4 storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851. 

Nearly 4 million people are without power in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Even as a tropical storm, Helene is still producing record rainfall in parts of the Southeast, resulting in dangerous flash flooding.

Convoy of Hope is en route to the impact zone today, where teams will assess damage and begin meeting the needs of survivors. 

As residents return to their homes, the level of damage and the long road to recovery can be frightening. Many people have lost everything — their homes, businesses, livelihoods. That is why Convoy of Hope is there — to offer assurance that they aren’t in this alone. 

To help Convoy bring hope to those left devastated by Hurricane Helene, donate today.

September 26, 2024 | 8:30 p.m.

Hurricane Helene is now an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane. Life-threatening storm surge of 15-20 feet is expected along Florida’s coast. More than 450,000 people in Florida are already without power. With heavy rains, powerful winds, and dangerous storm surge, damage will be catastrophic. 

But help is on the way.

Convoy of Hope is en route to the area with disaster response personnel and truckloads of relief supplies. 

“We’ll overnight in an area just outside of the projected impact zone so that we are ready to respond as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said Convoy’s Vice President of Disaster Services Stacy Lamb. 

Don’t forget to check this thread and social media for updates. Join the response by clicking on the donate button in the right-hand sidebar.

September 26, 2024 | 2:25 p.m.

Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of 111 mph. The Associated Press is describing landfall as a “nightmare” scenario because of the catastrophic storm surge that is expected. 

Here is the latest update from the Convoy of Hope response team already in Florida. 

September 26, 2024 | 9:04 a.m.

Convoy of Hope disaster response vehicles rolled out of the World Distribution Center this morning on their way to Florida. Team members will enter the disaster zone after Hurricane Helene has safely passed to serve and assist survivors with food, water, and relief supplies.

Currently, Hurricane Helene is a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds of 100 mph. Experts project that it will intensify into at least a Category 3 storm (111-129 mph). Landfall is expected to be between 8 and 11 p.m. on the Big Bend of Florida. “Unsurvivable” storm surge, destructive winds, and flooding could do significant damage along the Florida coast.

As Convoy’s team moves into the area and begins to serve, updates will be posted here and on social media. Join the response by clicking on the donate button in the right-hand sidebar.

September 25, 2024 | 10:54 a.m.

Helene has officially intensified into hurricane status. As Helene makes its way across the Gulf to Florida, it could make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. 

Already, gas stations in Tallahassee are running out of fuel and grocery store shelves are emptying. The city is still recovering from the tornadoes that slammed through the area in May this year. 

Some areas are predicted to experience life-threatening storm surge up to 15 feet, especially between Panama City and Tampa. 

Convoy of Hope trucks, response vehicles, and disaster response personnel are making final preparations before deploying to Florida. Once teams are en route, they will pre-position themselves outside of the storm’s path. Once Helene has passed, Convoy will move in and get relief supplies to survivors as quickly as possible. 

For those in the path of the storm, the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone map allows residents to input their address and learn their evacuation route in case of flooding or other disaster.

September 24, 2024 | 3:08 p.m.

Convoy of Hope’s Hurricane Helene response is ramping up. Tropical Storm Helene is likely to become a major hurricane in the next 24 hours as it hurtles toward Florida’s coast. The National Hurricane Center projects landfall late Thursday night. 

Even before Helene makes landfall, Convoy of Hope is preparing our response. Convoy team members are communicating with partners, loading trucks, and planning the safest and most efficient route to get relief supplies to people in need as soon as possible.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties ahead of Helene’s arrival. 

To ensure your family is prepared in the face of disasters like hurricanes, download Convoy’s free Disaster Preparedness Guide.