6 Ways to Help Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts in Broward County
About a week ago, Hurricane Dorian tore through the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm. After the skies cleared, it became clear the damage it left behind was catastrophic. The islands were hit by the second strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic1, with winds up to 220 mph leaving a trail of destruction and devasting consequences.
The official death toll as of September 11th is 50, a number that is expected to grow with over 2,500 people reported missing.2 Hundreds of homes and buildings were destroyed due to high-speed winds as well as flooding caused by a 20-foot storm surge.3 The Abaco Islands and the more densely populated Grand Bahama island suffered the most severe impact.
“In Grand Bahama, the central and eastern parts are the most impacted, with several homes damaged between Freetown and Deep Water Cay,” the UN reports. “Satellite data suggests that 76-100 percent of buildings analyzed near High Rock (central Grand Bahama), McLeans Town, and Deep Water Cay (eastern Grand Bahama) have been destroyed.” - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs4
The citizens of the Bahamas, the victims of this natural disaster, are seeking shelter. Many are taking refuge in the nation’s capital, Nassau. They need food and water assistance, and they need help and supplies to start the cleanup and rebuilding process. You can research relief organizations helping the Bahamas on Charity Navigator. Here’s how you can help with Bahamas hurricane relief in Broward County.
Bahamas Hurricane Relief Donations & Fundraising Efforts
Broward County Public Schools
In collaboration with the Broward Education Foundations, United Way of Broward County, and BrightStar Credit Union, Broward Public Schools will be accepting monetary donations through check (designation line: “Hurricane Dorian Relief and Recovery Fund” or online here. Students, Teachers, and school administrators are encouraged to donate food items, water, and other relief supplies to their schools to help support Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.
BahamaStrong Hurricane Relief
Made up of the partnership of marine businesses BC Surf and Sport, SunDance Marine, and Preferred Marine, BahamaStrong Hurricane Relief is accepting online donations and donations of food, water, construction items, and hygiene products at the following drop-off locations:
· Preferred Marine – 1631 S Dixie Highway, Suite D2, Pompano Beach
· Sundance Marine – 2051 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale & 491 S Federal Highway, Pompano Beach
· BC Surf and Sport – 1701 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
Hope 4 Hope Town
Hope 4 Hope Town was established by Fort Lauderdale-based businesses and community leaders in the direct aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. They are accepting monetary donations through their GoFundMe campaign as well as donations of relief supplies. They have secured a fleet of vessels to bring donations and volunteers to the Bahamas. Collection locations include:
· The Riverside Market – 608 SW 1th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
· The Riverside Market South – 3218 SE Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale
· The Riverside Market Plantation – 6900 Cypress Road, Plantation
· Atlantic Yacht – 850 NE Third Street #213, Dania Beach
Bahamas Hurricane Relief Organizations & Volunteer Opportunities
All Hands and Hearts Smart Response
Led by a team of volunteers, the non-profit organization plans to send groups of people to the islands to address the immediate needs of those affected by the storm. Volunteer efforts extend even further because All Hands and Hearts stays in disaster-affected areas long-term to help in rebuilding schools, homes, and infrastructure. Donate here or sign up to become a volunteer.
Team Rubicon
This international disaster relief nonprofit is made up of military veterans and first responders. Team Rubicon will send volunteer disaster response groups to The Bahamas to assist in clearing the debris and rebuilding homes. Before Hurricane Dorian hit, Team Rubicon volunteers were already on the islands putting up sandbags and boarding up windows. Donate here, or, if you are a military veteran/first responder, become a volunteer.
Operation Topaz
Set up by YachtAid Global in collaboration with CBS Bahamas, Sol Relief, World Hope International, and NEMA, Operation Topez is fathering a fleet of yachts and vessels to help bring food, water, fuel, medical kits, and other relief supplies to the areas affected by the hurricane. A number of superyachts have already pledged to assist Operation Topaz and some have started offloading supplies and water to Bahamians in need.5 Donate here or pledge your superyacht as a vessel of transport for the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.
Yacht Management South Florida, Inc. is a Fort Lauderdale yacht management and yacht maintenance company. At our Fort Lauderdale marina and full-service boatyard, we offer yacht restoration, refits, and regular maintenance packages that include boat bottom cleaning, boat hull painting, repairs, and other premier onshore or dockside services. Contact us or call (954) 941-6447 today!
Sources
1. Ian Livingston, The Washington Post – Hurricane Dorian has smashed all sorts of intensity records in the Atlantic Ocean
2. Faith Karimi & Chandler Thornton, CNN – 2,500 people are listed as missing nearly two weeks after Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas
3. Brian Resnick, Vox – 4 things everyone should know about the hurricane disaster in the Bahamas
4. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA Humanitarian Response – Bahamas: Hurricane Dorian - Situation Report no. 2 (as of 10 September 2019)
Miranda Blazeby, Boat International – Hurricane Dorian: Superyachts Rally to Help the Bahamas