SBP launches disaster response to support Florida communities hit by Hurricane Helene

(NEW ORLEANS) Sept. 27, 2024—SBP, the New Orleans-based disaster recovery organization, is working with local partners and officials to provide response and recovery services to under-resourced communities affected by Hurricane Helene. 

Helene made landfall at about 11:10 pm E.T. near Perry, Florida, just southeast of Tallahassee, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 140 mph, bringing with it catastrophic storm surges and heavy rain. This is the strongest hurricane on record to land in Florida’s Big Bend region.

“SBP stands with Florida,” said Thomas Corley, Chief Operations Officer for SBP. “We’re on the ground now, mobilizing our teams and resources to help people hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.”

SBP has been working in Florida since 2018, supporting communities to rebuild after Hurricanes Michael, Ian, Idalia, and Debby. 

In the coming days, SBP’s immediate priorities are to mobilize trained disaster response teams to support on-the-ground relief efforts, make our recovery navigation resources available to at-risk communities, support local partners and volunteer groups, and provide training to equip survivors with essential recovery resources in the days and weeks ahead. 

Since its founding in 2006 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, SBP has rebuilt homes for more than 6,300 families with the help of 150,000 volunteers in 16 communities across the U.S. and The Bahamas.

SBP is committed not only to equipping disaster survivors to recover in the short term, but also to increasing readiness and reducing risk for the long term. Our holistic programs help communities shrink the time between disaster and recovery by rebuilding homes, building resilience, and improving policies.

For households affected by the storm, SBP’s free resources provide guidance for navigating the first steps of the recovery process, including working with insurance companies, avoiding contractor fraud, and navigating the federal assistance process, where applicable. 

Please donate now to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Please contact Elizabeth Wright at [email protected].

ABOUT SBP
SBP is a national social impact organization dedicated to helping communities shrink the time between disaster and recovery by rebuilding homes, increasing resilience, and improving policies to better serve all Americans. To learn more, visit www.SBPUSA.org.
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