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Their efforts are specifically focused on North Carolina and Florida residents who either lost their homes or were forced to evacuate due to the hurricane.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
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Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Communities across the South continue to dig out from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm left “biblical devastation” in its wake, reportedly dumping trillions of gallons of water and flooding communities, particularly in parts of Florida, Tennessee, and the hard-hit Western part of North Carolina, including Asheville.
While the storm has passed, thousands have been left without homes or safe—and dry—places to stay. Now, Airbnb and generous hosts have stepped in with an offer to help.
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit arm of the popular website, is working with the Florida United Methodist Conference (FLUMC) and centers in Florida and North Carolina to offer free, temporary housing to those displaced by the storm, particularly in Florida and North Carolina. The rooms and homes are completely free for those in need thanks to the funding from Airbnb and the generosity of Airbnb hosts, who are stepping up to help their neighbors in need by offering their homes either for free or at a discount through Airbnb.org.
The group’s efforts are specifically focused on North Carolina and Florida residents who either lost their homes or were forced to evacuate due to the hurricane. Per a press release, residents who were impacted by the storm can request assistance for temporary housing support from Airbnb.org in the following ways:
- Florida: Florida residents displaced by the hurricane should contact FLUMC by calling (863) 688-5563 or (800) 282-8011 (toll-free) or by contacting their local 211, which they can find at 211.org.
- North Carolina: North Carolina residents displaced by the hurricane should contact their local 211 contact center.
“Hurricane Helene devastated Western Carolina and we’re working hard to make sure everyone impacted has a safe place to stay following the storm,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We appreciate Airbnb.org stepping up to provide free temporary housing to those in need and collaborating with other local organizations during this challenging time.”
Related: Hurricane Helene Leaves Catastrophic Damage Across Several States: Here’s How To Help
This is not the first time that Airbnb’s nonprofit arm, Airbnb.org, and a network of kind-hearted and neighborly Airbnb hosts have helped house those in need. According to a press release, over the years Airbnb.org has provided more than 1.6 million nights of emergency stays for approximately 240,000 people. This year alone, the company has helped connect people displaced by Hurricane Beryl in Houston with places to stay, as well as folks left unhoused by wildfires in California and Canada, floods in Brazil, and an earthquake in Japan. Here are other ways to help our neighbors in need.
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Read the original article on Southern Living.