The Wake of Hurricane Helene: LCIF’s Response to the Devastating Storm

In late September 2024, families were plunged into darkness when Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States. This storm was the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005, causing widespread destruction and heartbreak.

At least 233 lives were lost, and over four million people were left without power. District governor of District 35-I Patty Jean Strong says, “It was rough. The next day, there’s no power, no communication. You don’t have television; you don’t have air conditioning; you don’t have a cell phone; you don’t have internet.” Without power, even the smallest tasks become battles.

For millions, the storm changed everything in an instant. Life as they knew it had been flipped upside down. “You lose all your personal items. Your family photos, your wedding photos, your grandma’s porcelain, even simple things like your clothing and shoes, never to be seen again. It makes me so emotional,” Strong says, as her voice starts to tremble. Knowing these victims had a long and painful road to recovery ahead of them, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) approved 11 grants totaling US$335,000 in response to Hurricane Helene.

This includes nine Emergency Grants of US$15,000 each across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. These grants helped provide things like water, food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, flashlights and linens.

In addition, Multiple District 35 (Florida) and Multiple District 31 (North Carolina) received Major Catastrophe Grants (MCAT) of US$100,000 each to further assist recovery efforts. On top of that, in response to Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 hurricane that struck Florida less than two weeks after Helene, District 35-O Florida also received an Emergency Grant for US$15,000 to provide eating utensils, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies and nonperishable food to those affected. “We never would have been able to provide the community service we have without LCIF and I can’t wait to use this MCAT,” says Strong.

The essential supplies and physical assistance go a long way in rebuilding the community, but for many, the emotional support can be just as effective. Strong says, “It’s not just about the material goods because those things are transient. They need humanity and empathy, and that’s what I give. What makes the biggest impact is compassion. Here in Florida, we’ve all lived through these storms. We’ve all been affected, and we know what they’re feeling.”

When natural disasters strike, Lions are among the first to offer help. With an LCIF disaster relief grant, they can do even more for communities devastated by hurricanes, floods, fires and other major events. Learn more about our variety of disaster relief grants at lionsclubs.org/Disaster-Grant.

(Feature image photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP)