When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the west coast of Florida less than 2 weeks apart, GardaWorld Federal was ready to support the communities that needed us most. Our response to Hurricane Helene began on September 27, 2024, the day after the Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Perry, FL. Our support of the devastating aftereffects of Helene is still ongoing, spanning both Florida and North Carolina. We have deployed teams to assist communities across Manatee, Madison, Desoto, and Lafayette counties in Florida and sent additional teams into the mountains of North Carolina to help in Bent Creek, Cranberry Gap, Banner Elk, Linville, and Three Mile, bringing critical resources to help residents regain a sense of stability and security.
Just days later, as Category 3 Hurricane Milton hit Florida less than 250 miles from where Helene made landfall, our teams were back on the ground from October 10th to 15th, supporting Floridian communities in their response and recovery efforts.
Our work in Florida after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton included setting up Points of Distribution (PODs), which became lifelines for nearly 8,000 vehicles that accessed essentials like clean drinking water and MREs. These PODs allowed families to have the necessities they needed — food and water — while waiting for power and water services to return. We also deployed more than 120 medical professionals across 12 locations to provide direct care to vulnerable populations while also providing essential equipment and services throughout the impacted area.
In North Carolina, we provided laundry and shower trailers to bring a touch of comfort and normalcy to communities facing extreme damage and extended outages. Every gesture, from a bottle of clean water to a comforting smile to the chance to wash clothes, made a difference to those who had endured so much.
At GardaWorld Federal, we’re driven by a commitment to community and resilience. We don’t just provide aid; we show up with compassion and a steadfast resolve to help communities recover. Seeing families reassured to find the essentials they need, witnessing neighbors supporting each other, and knowing we’re part of that journey to recovery—it’s why we do what we do. Together, we’re here for every step forward, ready to bring help and hope whenever and wherever it’s needed.
