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Hurricane Florence

STATUS
Active Recovery
DATE
September 12, 2018 -Present
REGION
U.S. East Coast
Credit:Photo by Alex Wroblewski

The Epic Floods from Florence

Beginning September 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence inundated North and South Carolina with record-setting rain—as much as 35 inches in some areas. The storm lost its hurricane-strength winds the same day it made landfall but, moving at just 2 or 3 mph, its unremitting rain caused rivers to overspill their banks and flood roads, cutting off entire communities. At one point, the only way to reach Wilmington, North Carolina, was by air. Power outages were wide spread and Florence is blamed for 57 deaths in four states. The flood threat continued for many days dumping of rain on the Carolinas.  An Americares emergency team was already on the ground in advance of the storm and immediately went to work.
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Our Response

Americares responded with emergency staff and air and ground deliveries of medicine and relief supplies. Americares emergency programs also supported clinics with what they needed to replace equipment, keep doors open and add staff hours to meet the needs of survivors. The response included:
  • 8 emergency responders deployed
  • 113 total days of staff in field (combined)
  • 20,000 prescriptions
  • 385,000 medical and relief supplies
  • 62 emergency shipments
  • 24 local organizations supported, including clinics and emergency shelters
  • 35 health workers trained in preparedness

$2.1 million total aid

“We could not do it without you all.  Thank you for showing us the spirit of America—it’s the spirit of giving, it is the best of our humanity helping one other in time of need.  You are lifesaving for so many people.”

Peter Le, St. Joseph Primary Care, Raleigh, North Carolina

“Thank you for the hard work that Americares is doing to support recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence! We are grateful for the commitment that Americares is making to our state.”

Randy Jordan, Chair of the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics

Our History

Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization has a long history of responding to emergencies in the U.S., including hurricanes Sandy,  Harvey, Irma, and Maria. and the 2018 California wildfires.

Americares responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.