How the Church of Jesus Christ Is Helping Those Affected by Hurricane Helene

With winds of up to 140 miles per hour and a record storm surge from waters piling up along Florida’s west coast, Hurricane Helene made landfall late evening on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in the Big Bend region of the Florida Panhandle. It was the strongest hurricane ever to hit the area and the deadliest to strike the United State since Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005. 

Well over 100 people have died, and recovery efforts continue. With up to 30 inches of rain, most fatalities were due to drowning.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organizing disaster relief command centers in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Trucks of water, food, hygiene kits and other essential supplies are being sent as quickly as possible to the locations of greatest need.

“The task before us is great,” said Elder Quinn Millington, an Area Seventy in the Church’s North America Southeast Area and head of the Area Disaster Response Committee. “We are accustomed to storms in the South, but never have we faced damage this widespread. Yet we have seen the resilience of these communities time and time again as they eagerly come to the aid of their neighbors in need, lifting the hand which hangs down, and comforting those that stand in need of comfort.”

In the coming weeks, thousands of volunteers from the Church will bring hope to these communities as they spend their weekends mucking out flooded homes, clearing debris, removing downed trees and tarping roofs.

The disaster relief crews will be deployed to Alabama eastward across Central Florida, and northward through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.

“In times of great need, we continue to depend upon surrounding Latter-day Saint congregations to love and serve those in need,” said Elder Craig C. Christensen, President of the Church’s North America Southeast Area. “In doing so, we serve as the Savior did and exemplify the meaning of the name of His Church, the same name that is printed on those bright and recognizable yellow shirts that bring hope to their communities with a wheelbarrow and chain saw in hand.”

The Church reports all missionaries in the region are safe. Some Church buildings in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee have been damaged, and power remains out in many areas. The recently completed Tallahassee Florida Temple, located 50 miles northwest of the hurricane’s landfall, was not damaged. The temple’s public open house is still scheduled to begin on November 4.

Those outside the disaster area who desire to help are encouraged to visit JustServe.org for local service opportunities or consider donating to the Church’s Humanitarian efforts.

Download Photo