How to help survivors of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has killed at least 175 people and caused widespread devastation throughout the Southeast. The storm devastated communities in several states after making landfall in Florida on September 26 and caused catastrophic flooding in many areas, leaving some people with nothing.

President Biden has issued major disaster declarations for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and people from those states can apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at DisasterAssistance.gov. Food, water and other supplies are being flown to some areas the storm failed to reach, and humanitarian groups have also moved into the disaster area to help.

The American Red Cross said it operated or supported dozens of shelters in the area. The organization has also offered to help people reconnect with loved ones who went missing after the storm.

Samaritan's Purse, the charity led by evangelist Franklin Graham, said it helps communities in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the organization's international headquarters are located, as well as surrounding areas, including part of East Tennessee. The organization has also set up bases in other states.

World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the chef Jose Andressaid it has served tens of thousands of free meals in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The organization said it would set up commercial kitchens in the hardest-hit city AshevilleNorth Carolina, and the Gulf Coast city of Clearwater, Florida.

Individual states have set up disaster funds in response to the storm.

The Florida Disaster Fund said it is distributing donations to relief organizations that help people with disaster relief and recovery.

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund said it is providing reimbursements to nonprofits that work with disaster survivors.

In South Carolina, the One SC Fund directs donations to local nonprofits providing disaster relief and recovery, according to a spokesman for Gov. Henry McMaster. The state's Emergency Management Division also provides information for people who want to volunteer, donate clothing or donate to food banks.

Virginia's Department of Emergency Management is raising funds for the state's disaster relief fund. The agency said the fund provides grants to organizations to help residents recover from disasters and emergencies.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collected information from people who want to volunteer to help with recovery efforts in the state. The agency also has an application for organizations that would like to make donations in kind.