Historic Storm Strikes Florida Panhandle
Hurricane Michael made landfall October 10, 2018, near Mexico Beach, Florida, as a life-threatening Category 5 storm, with peak winds of 155 mph, heavy rains and a devastating 14-foot storm surge. The catastrophic storm left a path of near total destruction in Florida, including 47 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure including homes businesses and essential communications. The hurricane moved to Georgia as a Category 3 storm, causing more fatalities, power outages, flooded roads and destruction of crops. Michael now ranks as one of the four most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the United States and caused more than $25 billion in damage.
The hurricane left many survivors vulnerable, without access to critical health care. Americares deployed staff in advance of the storm, then provided essential medicine and relief supplies to shelters and clinics and, for clinics, support to keep doors open and make needed repairs.