Catastrophic. Deadly. Life-threatening. These are words used to describe the strongest hurricane to affect the United States this year. Making landfall near Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Helene caused significant damage along the Big Bend region of the state, leaving flooded homes and streets, millions without power, and at least 26 people dead in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Effective disaster giving is urgently needed to address the devastation Hurricane Helene has left in its wake.

Though we won’t know the full impact for days, weeks, or even months, we expect the power outages to be extensive and potentially last for a long time, leaving people without access to basic needs critical to survival.

Some homes are reportedly demolished and many others are flooded. As flooding persists across Florida and other affected states from the devastating storm surge and heavy rain, officials are reminding those with the means to do so to stay home to allow the waters time to recede and emergency responders access to provide services.

Effective Disaster Giving Must Consider Communities' Layered Trauma from Cyclical Disasters

Helene is large in size, not just intensity, and continues to batter communities across the Southeast with rain and wind, further underscoring the need for effective disaster giving. North Carolina and Georgia have already experienced her wrath, with movement expected further inward into the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. Inland states will also face flooding, wind and possible tornadoes.

Many affected communities in Florida and beyond have experienced disaster after disaster and are still recovering. This is the fifth hurricane to hit Florida since 2022. Tallahassee and the surrounding area experienced multiple tornadoes in May and haven’t fully recovered. Much of the southeast, especially along the east coast, has experienced historic flooding this year and in previous years, affecting particularly marginalized communities with little access to recovery resources.

Cyclical disasters like these can traumatize communities and could be what we should expect with a changing climate. Efforts for response and recovery must be community-led and sensitive to this trauma in ways that support preparedness and strengthen resilience.

Read the full article about effective disaster giving by Sally Ray at Center for Disaster Philanthropy.