If You're Worried About Those Affected By Hurricane Dorian, Here's How You Can Help

Starr Bowenbank
Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images
Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

From Town & Country

Hurricane Dorian is the second strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane that we've seen, tying a record first broken in 1935. Clocking in at a Category 5 storm with gusting winds between 185 and 220 miles per hour, the storm is not a force to be reckoned with. So far, the Bahamas has received the most damage from the storm, causing the deaths of at least five people (not including those potentially trapped in rubble) according to the country's prime minister. About 13,000 homes have been destroyed by the storm, and the tally continues to rise as the damage is assessed.

The storm has since weakened to a Category 2, but the path of the hurricane is now pointed toward the United States. While the United States Coast Guard is helping out Bahamians affected by the hurricane, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are preparing to be hit by the storm in some capacity.

It's devastating news to hear, but there are a few ways you can help those affected by the storm, even if you don't live nearby. Here's what you can do:

Donate to World Central Kitchen disaster relief

Chef José Andrés and his team are helping out four locations across the Bahamas to feed those affected by Hurricane Dorian. You might not be able to send food down there yourself due to the nature of the damage, but you can make a donation online on World Central Kitchen's website.

Miami-Dade Community Emergency Operations Center, All Hands and Hearts Smart Response, and the International Medical Corps are assisting the Bahamas as well, and are accepting donations.

Support the City of Miami's donation drive

Miami may or may not get hit by Hurricane Dorian, so they're collecting supplies that will allow them to stay prepared. In the event that Miami is not affected, donated supplies will be sent to Coconut Grove in the Bahamas to provide Bahamians relief as part of their BahamaStrong initiative. They need:

  • Water

  • Diapers

  • Canned goods

  • Can openers

  • Baby formula

  • Flashlights, batteries, and small generators

  • First aid kits

  • Sunscreen

  • Mosquito spray

Fund Team Rubicon Disaster Response

Team Rubicon Disaster Response is a nonprofit disaster relief organization that is composed of military veterans and first responders that help rebuild houses, clean up debris, and mobilize large groups of volunteers. Ahead of Hurricane Dorian, they assisted the Bahamas by boarding up windows and putting down sandbags. Now, they're helping with the clean up and rebuilding phase. Donating to their cause can help them fix things faster.

Volunteer at the Bahamas Red Cross

In addition to donating toiletries, non-perishable food items, and money to provide hurricane relief, you can also volunteer with the Red Cross. There are multiple volunteer programs you can join, listed here:

  • Disaster Management

  • Team First Aid & CPR

  • Ambulance Services

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Administration

  • Social Services

  • General Management

  • Youth Services

  • Fundraising

  • Governing Board

If you wish to volunteer, you can sign up on the Bahamas Red Cross official website.

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