Above, North Carolina residents help an elderly man evacuate after rising water began flooding a trailer community Sept. 15 during Hurricane Florence in Lumberton. The storm thrashed the Carolinas with fierce winds, driving rain and catastrophic flooding. Downgraded from hurricane strength after making landfall, the storm has killed at least 17 people, authorities said. Hundreds of others were trapped by floods and had to be rescued. (CNS photo/Randall Hill, Reuters)
In South Carolina, Kelly Kaminski, director of disaster services for Catholic Charities, said the agency has activated its Emergency Operations Center and disaster services team and is coordinating with county emergency management teams, FEMA and Catholic Charities USA to assist people.
Kaminski said that money is the best thing to donate to help Catholic Charities’ outreach to storm victims. Those who want to donate can visit www.charitiessc.org/donate or text “Disaster” to 555888.
Those who prefer to donate supplies should check with their local Catholic Charities office to see if they are open and where donations can be dropped off. Catholic Charities of South Carolina is asking for the following to help storm victims: gift cards to stores such as Wal-mart, Target, Lowe’s and Home Depot; cases of water, tarps, baby items, adult diapers, non-perishable food items, trash bags, sunscreen, bug spray and cleaning supplies.
Read more about Catholic Charities’ hurricane response plan and how you can help in the flyers below.
Hurricane Florence response: Things to know
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Hurricane Florence donations: How to help
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Huracán Florence Donaciones: Como ayudar
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