Hurricane Florence was one of the worst storms ever to hit the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline, causing an estimated $17 billion in damages and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. Disaster relief workers are helping residents pick up the pieces, but there are still ways those outside of the area can help.

We’ve compiled a list of online resources that travelers and local residents can use to stay informed and safe during this crisis, as well as how they can help aid disaster relief efforts. We will update this list with new information whenever possible.

Click here for our other Hurricane Florence story, which has regular updates about the storm and how state officials and hospitals are responding.

Hurricane Safety Checklist

Places to Donate or Volunteer

Find/Provide Free Disaster Relief Temporary Housing

Free Data Recovery For Damaged Computers

Free Telehealth Services for Disaster Patients

Hurricane Safety Checklist

Regardless of where you are located or if you’re working at a hospital during the storm, your first priority is to have a disaster plan in place to protect yourself and your family in a time of crisis.

The American Red Cross has provided a hurricane safety checklist that has everything you can do to prepare for the storm and respond to the aftermath. We’ve provided a PDF of the checklist below, but you can also download or view it here: Hurricane Checklist

Where You Can Donate and Volunteer

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, which will respond to a majority of the crisis areas affected by Hurricane Florence, is currently accepting donations.

Donate to American Red Cross here >>

Americares

Americares is based out of the U.S. but also responds to international crisis areas. They are gathering resources and supplies to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

Donate to Americares here >>

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

NVOAD is currently accepting donations for Hurricane Florence relief efforts. They have also compiled a list of places where you can connect with volunteer organizations on the ground if you want to directly assist.

Find more information or donate here >>

Free Temporary Housing (To Use Or Provide)

Airbnb Open Homes

The Airbnb Open Homes Program is currently providing free temporary housing from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 for displaced homeowners and relief workers affected by Hurricane Florence.

Residents in surrounding areas can also list their homes through the Open Homes program to provide shelter to those in need.

If you need to find temporary housing: 

• Create an Airbnb account.
• Visit this link: https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/hurricane-florence-2018
• Click the “Find Shelter” button

If you want to help provide temporary housing:

• Create an Airbnb account.
• Visit this link: https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/hurricane-florence-2018
• Click the “Sign up your home” button
• Follow the step-by-step process to place your listing

Free Data Recovery

TTR Data Recovery, based out of Fairfax, Virginia, is currently offering free data recovery on hard drives and flash media for victims of Hurricane Florence.

The company will service any PC owned by users directly affected by the storm and businesses will receive an additional discount, according to their website.

Customers may still be responsible for costs of replacement components and shipping, if necessary, and must ship their damaged device no later than Oct. 1. They must also provide proof of residence in South Carolina or North Carolina.

For more information on the service, visit their website here: TTR Data Recovery Hurricane Florence Relief

Free Telehealth Services

These organizations are offering free telehealth services for Hurricane Florence victims, according to Becker’s Hospital Review:

Telehealth vendors:

• American Well
• MDLive via code “Florence”
• DoctorOnDemand
• Teladoc

Payers:

• Anthem via the LiveHealth Online app
• Capital BlueCross via the Capital BlueCross Virtual Care iOS or Android mobile app

Hospitals and health systems:

• Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina via code “MUSCFLO,” etv reports.
• Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care via code “UNCFLORENCE2018” on the UNC Urgent Care 24/7 app

Track Hurricane Florence

Google has provided a map tool that will let you actively track Hurricane Florence as it moves through the U.S.

You can find critical information, like traffic flow or the locations of evacuation resources, by clicking the “Layers” tab and clicking the checkboxes next to things you want to see on the map.

Make sure to refresh the page periodically to see the most up-to-date version of the storm’s movement.