Emergency Disaster Relief Program Activated for Coast Guard Members Impacted by Hurricane Milton

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami helicopter crew rescued a man approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key on Thursday, Oct. 10 after Hurricane Milton hit the area.  The survivor was found clinging to a cooler with a life jacket and emergency locator beacon, after weathering the night in the open water during the hurricane.  

How You Can Help
Our emergency disaster relief program has delivered nearly $1 million in aid to 470 Coast Guard families this year alone.

Since July, our emergency relief program has supported families impacted by Tropical Storms 8 and Debby, as well as Hurricanes Beryl, Francine, Helene and now Milton. We also aided Coast Guard members when the Mendenhall Glacial dam burst in Alaska, flooding homes.

And now, these two back-to-back hurricanes have left Coast Guard families facing real loss and uncertainty.  Homes are destroyed and lives have been turned upside down. Families are assessing the damage and beginning the long road to recovery.

When you make a donation today, you can ensure Coast Guard families have the critical resources they need to rebuild and recover. Every dollar you give provides immediate relief and hope for those who have lost so much.

How Coast Guard Members Can Access Emergency Support

Coast Guard members impacted by the following natural disasters are eligible to apply for a 2024 Coast Guard Foundation disaster relief grant:
•    Hurricane Beryl
•    Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby
•    Mendenhall Glacial Outburst in Juneau
•    Hurricane Ernesto
•    Hurricane Francine
•    Tropical Cyclone Eight (historic flooding rainfall in North Carolina)
•    Hurricane Helene
•    Hurricane Milton

Coast Guard members can apply for a grant up to $3,000 to cover personal loss and basic needs, including:
•    replacement and repair of household goods
•    food and basic necessities
•     insurance deductibles
•    temporary housing
•    emergency travel

Please note our business rule: A Coast Guard member/household is eligible for a maximum of $3,000 in emergency disaster support annually. If you are impacted by more than one storm, please be aware that the max grant is $3,000/year. If you received a grant for less than $3,000, you may apply for a second grant not to exceed $3,000 per person/household per year. 

How to Apply:
Complete an application online, providing essential information that details your disaster related expenses. Your application will be reviewed within five days of receipt. You may be contacted by the Coast Guard Foundation programs team to clarify need and collect additional information to complete the review of the application.

The Coast Guard Foundation partners with the Chief Petty Officers Association for program administration and eligibility verification.  
Questions:

• Ms. Sage Williams, Coast Guard Foundation Program Manager: swilliams@coastguardfoundation.org 860-535-0786
• Mr. Randy Reid, CPOA Executive Director: executivedirector@uscgcpoa.org 703-941-0395