On a sunny day in St. Petersburg last week, Janet Stringfellow, president and CEO, Volunteers of America Florida, drove her car slowly down a residential neighborhood street. On either side, parkways and sidewalks were piled high with waterlogged couches and mattresses, soggy plasterboard and cast-off dishwashers, busted-up chairs, white plastic bags bulging with spoiled food and other trash—all hurricane-related refuse. “Tons and tons of debris. it’s pretty much everything people had,” she says. “All this devastation is so, so sad. It looks like a war zone.”

Like everyone living in the paths of hurricanes Helene and Milton, LeadingAge members are assessing damage, cleaning up and rebuilding—infrastructure, homes and lives. “Viewing the destruction is overwhelming,” said Nancy Hooks, LeadingAge senior vice president member and state partnerships, who last week visited some of the Florida LeadingAge communities impacted by the storms. “Flooded buildings, rooftops torn from buildings, burst pipes and water damage, power outages and ensuing issues—it’s disturbing beyond words.” She’s also been in close touch with members in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia since Helene made landfall at the end of last month.

While many in Florida are “still raw” from this latest climate-related disaster, according to one executive, overall, says Hooks, member communities, staff and residents are “focusing on stability.” That is, certainty.

Since the late September launch of LeadingAge’s Disaster Relief Fund, some members have shared stories of storm-related harm and distress: staffs’ homes demolished or severely damaged by fallen trees; a house burned down due to a surge generated after power was restored. For other community leaders, it’s still too soon to determine both staff needs and the financial impact of repairs and reconstruction, says Hooks. That unpredictability is unsettling–which is why “we’re here for those in need,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge.

Over $100,000 in donations have come in since the launch of our Disaster Relief Fund late last month; allocations are now under way.  “We step up and serve to the best of our ability. We did it with hurricanes Sandy, Michael, Irma, Maria, and Ian; we’ve responded to the devastation wrought by wildfires and other disasters. Helene and Milton are no different,” said Sloan.

For those who are in need of support, please email Amanda Marr (AMarr@leadingage.org) to request funds. One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to members and their staff.

“Although the impact of these uncontrollable events can be far-reaching and long-lasting, we are here to help see it through,” Sloan said.  To those who are able to contribute, we ask that you please consider a donation to the LeadingAge Disaster Relief Fund.

Keep abreast of all Hurricane Season 2024 and Disaster Relief developments via this serial post.