Hurricane Debby

Closed

2024

North America

Disaster Response. Step One. Get There.

Our Impact

NGO partners supported

Responders sent

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Situation Overview

Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, August 5, 2024, bringing severe flooding, including over 20 inches of rain to Sarasota. The storm has tragically claimed at least five lives, due to traffic accidents and fallen trees.

Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Debby is moving through southeastern Georgia and is expected to enter the Atlantic, where it may restrengthen. The storm is projected to deliver historic rainfall, potentially causing catastrophic flooding in Southern cities like Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. The National Hurricane Center forecasts up to 25 inches of rain in some areas.

The primary threats from Debby are flooding, with storm surges reaching up to 10 feet, and heavy rainfall. Freshwater flooding, driven by rainfall, has become the deadliest aspect of tropical systems in the past decade, according to Hurricane Center research.

Humanitarian Needs

Thousands of people are currently without power, with Jefferson County, Florida, experiencing an almost complete blackout—around 99% of the county is affected. This storm has hit many of the same areas still recovering from Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, making the impact particularly severe for small coastal communities.

Rescue missions are ongoing, and damage assessments will become clearer once the floodwaters recede. Among the initial nonprofit partners supported by Airlink is Operation BBQ Relief, which will be providing hot meals to residents in need.

Airlink’s Role: Overcoming Logistical Hurdles For NGOs

Airlink is working with airline and logistics partners to provide critical airlift and logistical support to responding NGO partners to get the right aid to the right place at the right time. Flights will be provided for responders, including emergency responders, health professionals, logisticians, and additional programmatic staff to reach Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. We anticipate additional travel requests once the storm passes and it becomes safe for our partner network to respond.

How You Can Help

A coordinated response that delivers effective and appropriate aid is crucial. Despite well-intentioned efforts by individuals and companies to arrange private donations and giving drives, many supplies end up being unsuitable for the region, unused, and causing strain and congestion on local communities. As much as 60% of aid is often wasted. This is especially critical for responses involving smaller island communities, where overwhelming local resources can have severe consequences.

What sets Airlink apart is our strategic approach to disaster response. We collaborate with a vetted network of over 200 NGOs to carefully assess each request for aid movement. Our expertise in logistics and our strong partnerships with airlines allow us to transport aid efficiently and effectively, minimizing waste and maximizing impact.

Your donation is vital in ensuring a timely and effective response. Your support not only helps us respond to Hurricane Debby but also prepares us for the entire 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Every contribution makes a difference—please consider donating today to support communities in crisis and help us deliver the right aid to the right place at the right time.