Marco Bello TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY via Reuters
Hurricane Ian — a Category 4 storm sweeping over the southern United States — touched down in Cuba Tuesday, destroying the island's power grid, before rapidly intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico and making landfall in Flordia Wednesday with 150-mile-per-hour winds.
More than 1.9 million homes in Florida still don't have power, according to poweroutage.us, and Ian, now a tropical storm, is continuing east over the state out toward the Atlantic. But by the time it loops back to hit South Carolina, experts are predicting it will upgrade again to a Category 1 hurricane.
Officials have not released data on deaths and injuries, but President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Ian could be the "deadliest" hurricane to ever hit Florida.
"The numbers are still unclear, but we're hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life," Biden said at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, DC.
While Biden has approved major federal disaster relief in Florida, there are still plenty of ways for individuals to help those who have been affected by the storm.
For those looking to help, we've compiled a list of reputable organizations that are assisting in relief efforts.
The Red Cross is accepting online donations in any amount, or $10 donations by text message when you send "IAN" to 90999.
The organization said it had helped to operate shelters for those evacuating from the hurricane.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood donors.
Florida's official private relief fund was "established to assist Florida's communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster."
You can donate online or text "DISASTER" to 20222 to make a $10 donation.
Volunteer Florida, which raises funds to support the state's lead agency for volunteerism and national service, has plenty of volunteer opportunities available to assist those who need aid after Hurricane Ian.
Available positions include being a Red Cross shelter volunteer, providing mental health support to victims, and supporting the regional disaster department.
You can apply online to learn more and fill one of the open positions.
Convoy of Hope is a self-described "faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world."
The nonprofit works to provide disaster response by partnering with local churches, businesses, civic organizations, and government agencies to get victims what they need.
In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Convoy's "caravan of response vehicles is en route to Florida." When they can, the company said it will set up distribution points to assist survivors, specifically providing them with groceries.
You can donate to Convoy of Hope online.
The Salvation Army Florida's Emergency Disaster Service Department planned ahead and prepared resources for Hurricane Ian victims before it even touched down in the state.
"Through the service of The Salvation Army, we seek to show there is hope, even in the storm, Captain Stephan Wildish said. "We are activated and prepared to go to where the storm hits the hardest, to meet the needs of disaster survivors in the days, weeks, months, and years to come."
You can donate to the organization online or by texting "STORM" to 51555.
Project HOPE "responds to disasters and health crises around the world, providing immediate relief and helping strengthen local health systems for the long term."
The nonprofit works with healthcare workers in the community to respond to immediate health needs and even provides long-term support by repairing clinics and teaching local healthcare workers about emergency preparedness.
You can donate to Project HOPE online.
The Habitat for Humanity in Hillsborough County, Florida — where Tampa is located — is collecting donations toward its Home Preservation Fund.
The nonprofit takes money from the Fund to help repair homes that have been destroyed by the storm. They are also asking for volunteers to help with the physical labor of actually fixing devastated houses.
Donate online and apply to volunteer on the website.
Mercy Chefs said they have deployed a response team to Florida and expects to serve 30,000 meals a day as a part of disaster relief.
The organization aims to provide "high-quality, hot meals on a mass scale for victims," of multiple disasters.
"This is one of the worst hurricanes ever to make landfall in the United States, and we are prepared now more than ever to do all that we can to serve hope in the form of a meal," the company said on its website.
You can donate to Mercy Chefs online.
Chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen serves "chef-prepared meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and during prolonged humanitarian crises."
On its website, the organization said that its relief team will stage locations across Florida to serve meals "as soon as Hurricane Ian passes."
The organization's Instagram showed it already has teams set up across impacted parts of Florida, including Sanibel Island.
World Central Kitchen has also deployed teams to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, which were hit by Hurricane Fiona earlier this month.
The organization accepts donations through its website.
