Here’s how Washingtonians can help those in Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian
No strangers to natural disasters, Washingtonians have already begun to rally in support of those in Florida hit hardest by Hurricane Ian.
The storm made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane Wednesday along the southwest coast of Florida. Several areas, including Fort Myers Beach, were left devastated.
As of Friday morning, the storm was in the Atlantic Ocean, lashing South Carolina with rain and barreling toward another landfall. The National Hurricane Center is warning of life-threatening storm surge as it comes ashore.
Florida’s death toll had hit six by Friday morning.
We’re rounding up ways Washington state residents can give to those in Florida, as well as some resources dispatched to the stricken area.
Washington state pitching in for Hurricane Ian recovery
As the storm continued its destructive path on Thursday, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee activated a small team from the Washington State Air National Guard to help with recovery efforts in Florida. In a letter dated Sept. 29, Governor Inslee noted that he would be sending a four-person specialized team to assist with recovery efforts.
In a release Tuesday, the Washington Military Department said that they are sending a team from the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane.
The team will be based at the Joint Operations Center Training Facility located at Camp Blanding, Florida. Their contribution to the emergency coordination efforts will include providing technical expertise in deploying Starlink satellite communications terminals, the SpaceX internet broadband network the U.S. military started using a couple of years ago.
Starlink can be used in areas devastated by disasters to establish communication and internet service. Small device terminals on the ground connect to satellites.
“We are happy to provide this critical capability to the first responders in Florida as they perform the important task of recovering after Hurricane Ian,” stated Major General Bret Daugherty, adjutant general, in a press release. “Washington state has successfully used this technology during wildfires, and it will be extremely useful to the mission.”
How can WA residents give to Hurricane Ian survivors?
The American Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts and taking donations online for those affected by Ian.
Also, Florida has its own disaster relief fund. You can donate online or text “DISASTER” to 20222 and make a $10 donation to the fund.
Save the Children, a nonprofit that helps in disaster-stricken areas, has also mobilized for Hurricane Ian relief efforts. The organization has a score of 91.82 of 100 through Charity Navigator, and you can make a donation directly online.
Direct Relief is also responding in Florida and accepting online donations for the recovery effort. Charity Navigator gives Direct Relief a perfect score of 100.
Before you donate, be sure to check the organization is reputable. You can use tools like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s search function to vet organizations accepting donations.
