2024 Hurricane Season: Record Storms, Devastation, and Relief Efforts
The 2024 hurricane season has officially concluded, marking another year of heightened activity. This season saw record-breaking events, including Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, and two consecutive major storms, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which brought widespread devastation, particularly to the southeastern United States.
Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall on September 26, wreaking havoc from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. The storm caused catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians and widespread wind damage across multiple states. Preliminary data from the National Hurricane Center indicates that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to strike the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Shortly after, Hurricane Milton arrived, making landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9. The storm triggered 46 tornadoes across the state, resulting in severe localized flooding, destructive storm surges, and an estimated $3.17 billion in insurance claims.
In the wake of these disasters, Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit, mobilized operations across five states to assist affected communities. The organization relied heavily on support from FedEx to transport essential supplies, including clothing for volunteers—known as Greyshirts—and critical technology equipment needed to aid survivors.
As colder weather set in, especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains, FedEx provided in-kind shipments of hoodies, beanies, and other winter gear to 10 Forward Operating Bases across five states. Additionally, FedEx facilitated the delivery of Field Technology kits, enabling Greyshirts to document home damage and gather information for repair efforts.
Coordinating the delivery of supplies to disaster zones is a complex process, but one that FedEx has honed over years of experience. Heather Harshbarger, Communications Advisor at FedEx, explained, “We operate like a well-oiled machine when it comes to disaster relief. By proactively organizing and planning our response, we ensure supplies reach affected areas as quickly as possible.”
As Hurricane Helene and Milton approached, FedEx teams worked closely with Team Rubicon and other NGOs to assess damage, identify impassable routes, and determine alternative ways to deliver essential resources. Harshbarger added, “Knowing that disaster relief volunteers will respond immediately, our teams prioritize getting vital supplies into disaster zones without delay.”
To date, FedEx's contributions have enabled 1,500 Greyshirts to assist more than 37,500 survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Click here to know more about FedEx Cares.
Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall on September 26, wreaking havoc from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. The storm caused catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians and widespread wind damage across multiple states. Preliminary data from the National Hurricane Center indicates that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to strike the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Shortly after, Hurricane Milton arrived, making landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9. The storm triggered 46 tornadoes across the state, resulting in severe localized flooding, destructive storm surges, and an estimated $3.17 billion in insurance claims.
In the wake of these disasters, Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit, mobilized operations across five states to assist affected communities. The organization relied heavily on support from FedEx to transport essential supplies, including clothing for volunteers—known as Greyshirts—and critical technology equipment needed to aid survivors.
As colder weather set in, especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains, FedEx provided in-kind shipments of hoodies, beanies, and other winter gear to 10 Forward Operating Bases across five states. Additionally, FedEx facilitated the delivery of Field Technology kits, enabling Greyshirts to document home damage and gather information for repair efforts.
Coordinating the delivery of supplies to disaster zones is a complex process, but one that FedEx has honed over years of experience. Heather Harshbarger, Communications Advisor at FedEx, explained, “We operate like a well-oiled machine when it comes to disaster relief. By proactively organizing and planning our response, we ensure supplies reach affected areas as quickly as possible.”
As Hurricane Helene and Milton approached, FedEx teams worked closely with Team Rubicon and other NGOs to assess damage, identify impassable routes, and determine alternative ways to deliver essential resources. Harshbarger added, “Knowing that disaster relief volunteers will respond immediately, our teams prioritize getting vital supplies into disaster zones without delay.”
To date, FedEx's contributions have enabled 1,500 Greyshirts to assist more than 37,500 survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Click here to know more about FedEx Cares.
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