Tampa Bay residents who believe science are breathing a little easier this morning as Hurricane Dorian finally appears to be inching towards the northeasters track that most models anticipated. Just because we’re in the clear, however, doesn’t mean that today isn’t precarious for others.
The National Weather Service of Tampa Bay says that Dorian is still a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph that will continue to track off the east coast of Florida for the next 24 hours.
That means our neighbors to the north could use a little support. If you’re feeling lucky, and a little lost as to how you might help, here are some ways to open up your pocketbook and provide immediate relief via organizations helping folks in Florida and beyond.
Latest advisory for Hurricane Dorian has it approx. 20 miles north of the Grand Bahama Island. Dorian is still a CAT 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and continues to track NNW off the east coast of Florida for the next 24 hours. #flwx pic.twitter.com/nWR8rCyb6p
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) September 3, 2019
- International Medical Corps — a worldwide humanitarian nonprofit that focuses on emergency response and relief — is deploying medical teams to the Sunshine State at the request of the Florida Department of Health. Its response plan calls for the delivery of healthcare supplies to those impacted by the storm (charitynavigator.org score 84.85).
- Heart to Heart International has disaster response medical volunteers stationed in Florida and is currently reaching out to partners in the Bahamas to determine how to help there as well (charitynavigator.org score 97.72).
- All Hands and Hearts Smart Response is taking both donations and volunteers to help in relief (charitynavigator.org score 98.23).
- Direct Relief has emergency medical caches stationed in Florida where it provides first aid supplies to those in need. The humanitarian organization is taking donations right now (charitynavigator.org score 98.23).
- Nonprofit disaster relief organization Americares will match every donation made to its website (charitynavigator.org score 97.87).
- There’s always the Red Cross, too, but the organization has come under fire in recent years after repeatedly saying that an average of 91 cents of every dollar donated is spent on humanitarian efforts. Politifact points out that “that number has been challenged before, with different reports estimating it may be as low as 73 cents on every dollar.” The American Red Cross’ most recent charitynavigator.org score is 88.71.
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This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 5, 2019.