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The latest on Hurricane Milton and how you can help

An image of Hurricane Milton from the National Weather Service as it made landfall.

An image of Hurricane Milton from the National Weather Service as it made landfall.

By CARE Staff October 11, 2024

Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday, leaving over 3 million people without power in the region, triggering 150 tornado warnings, and, as of Friday morning, killed at least 15 people. CARE is working with partners on the ground, delivering emergency relief and cash assistance in the storm's aftermath.

The storm’s rapid intensification made it one of the strongest ever in the Gulf of Mexico, arriving just weeks after Hurricane Helene disrupted millions of lives. CARE partner Feeding Tampa Bay’s relief efforts began in earnest immediately as the storm left Florida.

Milton’s fierce winds and heavy rainfall—up to 18 inches in some areas—left many communities submerged and streets impassable.

While Florida has a robust state emergency response team and is receiving funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, post-disaster studies have shown that these systems don’t always reach communities that, for various reasons, struggle to access their services.

As of Friday morning, many people in the region remain without electricity, particularly in central Gulf Coast areas like Hardee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties. And, of course, Milton made landfall less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern U.S., leaving 230 dead and millions more struggling to recover.

This is when CARE has found its work is most crucial.

Hurricane Milton seen from the International Space Station on October 8, 2024. Photo: NASA

Since 2020, CARE has built a network of local humanitarian partners through the CARE Partner Network, designed to support communities often overlooked by larger relief efforts. CARE’s response to Hurricane Milton includes emergency cash assistance to help families meet urgent needs like food, water, emergency housing, and medication. Cash assistance is particularly critical for women-led households and BIPOC families—groups that are often the hardest hit but least supported in disaster recovery.

During Hurricane Ian in 2022, this network provided $238,500 in emergency cash to 258 families, with 92% of those households led by women and 96% identifying as BIPOC.Since 2021 CARE has provided 1.8 million dollars in cash assistance, supporting 9.6k individuals and 61% of recipients are women.

“Many of the most vulnerable families lack the resources to recover from such a crisis,” said Amir Farokhi, CARE’s Executive Director of U.S. Programs. “Cash ensures that families can meet their unique needs, especially in smaller communities that receive less state and federal support.”

With CARE’s expertise in using cash interventions effectively during emergencies, the organization is committed to reaching those overlooked by traditional aid channels.

Families in Florida struggle through the storm surge of Hurricane Helene. Photo: Luis Santana/Shutterstock

Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification made it the third-fastest storm to strengthen in the Atlantic and one of the top ten strongest hurricanes on record in the Gulf of Mexico. Both Tampa and Orlando issued evacuation orders as the storm approached, leaving thousands seeking safety in shelters.

Many families are unable to relocate safely due to financial barriers, while others live in smaller communities that won’t receive the same level of local and state support as larger cities.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and families with young children, require last-mile delivery of goods and services. As it was in the aftermath of Helene, these families don’t have the reserves to rebound from catastrophe.

Cash assistance empowers them to access essential foods, medicines, and hygiene supplies—ensuring no one is left behind.

“We are deeply concerned for those in Milton’s path, including many still recovering from Hurricane Helene,” said Amir Farokhi, CARE’s Executive Director of U.S. Programs. “We are working closely with our Florida partners to ensure timely support for those in need.”

Here’s how you can help:

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