On Wednesday night, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s central West Coast. In the days prior, authorities urged upward of 5.5 million people in the state to evacuate as forecasters warned the wreckage from the storm could be catastrophic, making comparisons to Hurricane Katrina. While the hurricane was downgraded from Category 5 to Category 3 as it hit Siesta Key in Sarasota County, it’s already left widespread destruction in its wake, tearing the roof off of Tropicana Field and causing heavy flooding along the Gulf Coast. As of Friday, CBS estimates more than 2.2 million people are still without power in Florida, and the New York Times reports that at least 12 people have died. According to the Times, more than 1,000 survivors have been rescued from floodwaters, though updates on the storm’s destruction are still rolling in.
In addition to the hurricane itself, the National Weather Service in Miami reported at least four twisters in the area, including a “multi-vortex tornado,” CBS reports. Per the Times, the storm has uprooted trees and “tossed yachts onto the waterfront” in Sarasota, and cars were underwater in Clearwater, with people stuck on the second floor of their homes. Authorities are “focused on life-saving response efforts,” the White House said Thursday.
As rescue efforts in the state continue, we’ve gathered a few ways you can help below.
Donate to the American Red Cross as it works to provide disaster relief and locate missing family members in the state of Florida.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations to provide food, drinks, and critical care to those in affected areas.
Baby2Baby is donating diapers, formula, blankets, and other family-care items to residents in need.
Save the Children will help schools and families in affected areas recover with mental-health care and other educational supplies.
The Humane Society is accepting donations for emergency animal relief, helping to transport impacted pets and strays to shelters.
Direct Relief is funding medical aid on the ground in Florida, corresponding with local emergency providers.
Aerial Recovery is conducting water rescues, welfare checks, and debris clearance to families and neighborhoods in need.
World Central Kitchen is producing thousands of meals for affected residents and are on the ground working with food-truck providers.
The Florida Disaster Fund will distribute donations to local service organizations assisting with disaster response and recovery.
The Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline offers free legal information and advice for those dealing with the fallout of Hurricane Milton.
Feeding Tampa Bay is preparing tens of thousands of hot meals to deliver to residents in need.
Metro Ministries is accepting donations that will go toward food, housing, and supplies needed to rebuild neighborhoods in the aftermath of Milton.
Donations to Project Hope will fund a team of emergency-response experts and paramedics on the ground in Florida assisting with search and rescue efforts and providing medicine and humanitarian relief supplies.
Mercy Chefs is working to provide thousands of hot, chef-prepared meals in Florida for the victims of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
This post has been updated.