$584,000 in Aid Rushed to Coast Guard Members Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Coast Guard Foundation has issued more than $584,000 in grants to support 249 Coast Guard members and their families affected by the devastating storms. The hurricanes, which struck Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, caused widespread damage to homes, Coast Guard units, and local infrastructure, leaving many service members in need of urgent assistance.

The Coast Guard Foundation responded swiftly by activating its emergency disaster relief program. These grants have helped Coast Guard members cover immediate needs such as temporary housing, debris clean up, food, and replacement of personal property. They will also assist with long-term recovery efforts like home repairs and rebuilding and car repair and replacement.

"Our Coast Guard members are on the front lines of disaster response, risking their own safety to protect others," said Susan Ludwig, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. "When they are affected by these disasters, it's our turn to support them. We’re honored to be able to provide critical financial relief to help them rebuild and restore their homes."

Since the start of this year’s hurricane season, the Coast Guard Foundation has supported 575 Coast Guard members with $1.2 million in grants. This includes support for Hurricane Beryl which hit the Houston area, as well as Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Francine, a tropical cyclone in North Carolina and glacial flooding in Juneau.

“My wife and I wanted to sincerely thank the Coast Guard Foundation for its generosity in Hurricane Helene grant assistance,” shared a Coast Guard member serving at Air Station Clearwater. “We lost everything to about 5 feet of flooding in our home.  We were able to purchase a new bed, couch, clothes, and begin replacing the myriads of other items that were lost in the storm surge once we found out a check was coming.  Our ability to return to life closer to normal has been in no small way achieved due to the faithful support of the Coast Guard Foundation.”

The grants are part of the Foundation’s broader mission to aid service members and their families during times of crisis, ensuring they can continue their vital work with peace of mind. The Foundation has pledged continued support as recovery efforts progress in the months ahead.

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In the cover image, members of the Coast Guard and partners agencies conduct coastline and canal searches in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Keaton Beach, Florida, Sept. 28, 2024. Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team worked alongside, Florida Task Force 2, Florida Task Force 8 and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to conduct inspections for structural damage and possible pollution concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaiden Hartley)