Six Months After Helene and Milton: How SBP is Helping Communities Rebuild

Six months ago, Hurricane Helene made landfall as the largest hurricane on record to hit the Big Bend area of Florida. The storm and resulting flooding caused more than $78 billion in damage across the Southeastern United States, damaging over 115,000 homes. Thirteen days later, Hurricane Milton struck coastal communities in Florida that were still reeling from the impact of Helene.

Helping Survivors Return to Their Homes

In the aftermath of these historic storms, generous donors made it possible for SBP to respond immediately. Over the course of six months, our teams have:

• Completed muck and gut, debris removal, damage assessments, and roof tarping services on 149 homes.
• Submitted 138 FEMA appeals to help homeowners secure the maximum amount of individual assistance funding for which they are eligible.
• Trained 132 local leaders to ensure a prompt, efficient, and predictable recovery process in their communities.
• Dedicated 2,000+ team hours to immediate response efforts.

“At SBP, we know that real recovery doesn’t happen in weeks or even months—it takes years of consistent, strategic effort,” said SBP Chief Operating Officer Thomas Corley. “That’s why we’re committed to supporting Florida and North Carolina for the long haul. By strengthening the capacity of local leaders and partners to navigate the recovery process, we’re building resilience to future disasters.”

Meet Lisa and Ken Ramsey

For Lisa and Ken Ramsey, Tarpon Springs wasn’t just a place to live—it was a sanctuary. Originally from Ohio, they fell in love with the charm of this waterfront community on central Florida’s Gulf Coast. Their small-town dream became a nightmare when Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 26, 2024. The storm dumped over 18 inches of floodwater into the Ramseys’ home and caused extensive damage. Lisa and Ken had not anticipated the destructive force of the flooding, and they were not insured for this kind of destruction.

When SBP’s Disaster Corps arrived, they not only delivered much-needed help clearing debris and mucking and gutting Lisa and Ken’s home but also restored a sense of possibility that the Ramseys’ sanctuary could be saved.

“We fell through our floorboards, and it was disheartening,” said Ken. “But when SBP called, it was a good day. I didn’t realize how much they could help us.”

Sharing Knowledge with Local Leaders

To equip state and local government officials — and other local organizations — to lead the recovery process in their communities, SBP has provided training workshops and technical assistance through our Advise program.

To date, thanks to the support of our partners, SBP has led two Regional Recovery Acceleration Workshops in Helene- and Milton-impacted communities: a December workshop in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and a February workshop in South Sarasota County, Florida. Representatives from local governments and nonprofits received evidence-based training and insights for effective and efficient long-term disaster recovery from SBP’s team of experts.

Navigating the Road to Recovery

​​SBP is committed to supporting communities affected by Helene and Milton long after the news cameras leave, working in partnership to help survivors recover, rebuild, and return home.

SBP has launched a new Build program and regional office in Tampa, Florida to support long-term recovery for communities devastated by Helene and Milton.

• In 2025, the program will mobilize volunteers and SBP staff to rebuild 50 homes for uninsured and underinsured households affected by Helene and Milton in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Manatee counties in the Tampa region.
• The site will provide more than 1,700 volunteer opportunities for individuals and organizations passionate about providing hands-on recovery assistance to impacted families. .

SBP’s recovery strategy in North Carolina is centered around empowering community members to maximize recovery resources and serving as an advocate for adopting preparedness best practices.

• SBP will embed a Disaster Resilience Fellow within an impacted Western North Carolina community to build capacity for long-term recovery efforts.
• Our Advise team will strengthen local partnerships in Western North Carolina by equipping local leaders through training and knowledge sharing.
• SBP’s Disaster Assistance Program will continue advocating for families by providing support throughout the FEMA applications and appeals process.

THANK YOU to our community of donors whose generosity has helped survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton begin to rebuild their lives.