On April 12, 2023, Southeast Florida experienced a 1-in-1,000-year rain event. Dumping over 25 inches of rain in a 24-hour period sparking flash flooding and closing Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and displacing thousands of residents.
On August 26, 2023, a racially motivated shooting occurred at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, claiming three individuals’ lives. Through the Florida Disaster Fund, the Volunteer Florida Foundation awarded $1 million to bolster campus security at Edward Waters University in addition to an award of $100,000 to help the impacted families of this tragedy.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on August 30, 2023. From the date of landfall to September 30, 2023, the Volunteer Florida Foundation has collected over $4 million in donations for Hurricane Idalia relief.
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Cajun Navy – Cajun Navy provided hot meals and supplies to the residents of rural areas following Hurricane Idalia. Also, they continue to conduct chainsaw operations for access issues in and around Madison County as well as aiding the Community Caretaking programs. They are also performing a wide range of work including tree removal, debris removal, community assistance, and wellness checks.
Convoy of Hope – Convoy of Hope has provided essential supplies to 600 vehicles through a drive-thru distribution. As a result of Hurricane Idalia’s devastating effects, they were able to provide essential support and relief to children in need throughout the state. There were hundreds of families stranded without transportation, unable to obtain basic supplies to meet their needs. In addition to distributing food, water, diapers, formula, mattresses, tarps, and mosquito nets, they also provided emotional support to families. By providing volunteer manpower and supplies, they were able to help families demolish and rebuild their homes. Through their collaborative efforts, a variety of volunteers and partners were brought together, including community organizations, state governments, and religious organizations.
Feeding Florida – The Feeding Florida network of food banks has been hard at work since before Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend area. They set up 2 mega-distributions in the cities of Perry and Cross City where more than 2,000 households were able to obtain critical resources. Their networks of food banks have distributed 224,000 meals, over 363,000 ½ liter bottles of water, and 40,000 pounds of fresh produce. Their efforts across the state have helped individuals and families in 23 counties, deploying critical resources through 44 mass distributions, agency drops, and site visits.
Mothers Helping Mothers – Mothers Helping Mothers reported nearly 4,000 monthly transactions on their Helping Hands community group, a resource designed for sharing necessities off-site. They assisted 515 families, including supplying a mother with a bicycle so she could get to work and furniture for flood victims. They also conducted a survey of 273 homeowners to identify their unmet needs.
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Inc. – Rebuilding Together provides disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and long-term recovery support to help families and communities affected by natural disasters to rebuild their homes and lives. They not only respond to disasters, but build and strengthen communities in its long-term recovery activities throughout the state. Seventy-two projects have been completed, and 56 are in progress across sixteen (16) counties. As a Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD), they strive to increase their impact in the affected communities.
Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Response – Samaritan’s Purse has provided assistance to 63 families in Pasco and Hernando counties with muck out, debris removal, and tarping of their homes. A total of 830 requests have been received for chainsaw/tree clearance work. They also have nine chaplains who visit residents who have suffered damage due to disasters.
ToolBankUSA – Samaritan’s Purse has provided assistance to 63 families in Pasco and Hernando counties with muck out, debris removal, and tarping of their homes. A total of 830 requests have been received for chainsaw/tree clearance work. They also have nine chaplains who visit residents who have suffered damage due to disasters.
In summary, Florida’s recovery efforts following Hurricanes Ian and Idalia have been historic. In addition to that, the State of Florida has responded statewide to the aftermath of the flooding in Southeast Florida and the Jacksonville shooting incident. As a result of this report, you will see how resources were coordinated to help the impacted areas. Our goal is to continue distributing funds until we have distributed the entire amount designated for rebuilding the affected communities.
