World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) is launching Hurricane Isaias recovery efforts following the storm’s October 9 landfall in Destin, Florida. While many survivors faced evacuations, they returned home to damage from strong winds and flash flooding.
World Renew DRS anticipates offering recovery assistance, including needs assessments, construction estimating, home reconstruction, and more.
“We are devastated to see this area hit by disaster again,” shared Chris Gibson, World Renew DRS director. “We aim to partner with local organizations responding to Isaias and provide recovery services as soon as possible.”
Hurricane Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane with wind gusts of 110 mph, more than five feet of storm surge, and a foot of rainfall in the hardest hit areas. More than 800,000 customers initially lost power; at least four lives were lost, and insured losses are estimated to be billions of dollars.
Inland impacts of flash floods and tornadoes have also been felt across Georgia and the Carolinas.
“‘I have no savings and I have no idea how I’m going to start handling the damage,’” Gibson says one survivor shared. “These stories of loss and fear are heartbreaking.”
A Commitment to Long-Term Recovery
For more than 50 years, World Renew DRS has provided long-term recovery work to disaster-impacted communities, working with local organizations up to three to five years after the storm. The organization helps homeowners without the resources to recover through home reconstruction, needs assessment, volunteer coordination, and more.
World Renew DRS is also continuing to support survivors in southwest Florida following the intense hurricanes of 2024.
Support Hurricane Isaias Recovery Efforts
People in the U.S. who wish to support Hurricane Isaias response efforts can give online at worldrenew.org/fallhurricanes; by phone at 1-800-552-7972; or by mailing a check payable to World Renew DRS, with “Hurricanes 2026” in the memo line, to World Renew, 8970 Byron Commerce Dr SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.
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