FEMA Region 5’s Post

TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HELENE? You may not know this but I worked for the American Red Cross. I started in Disaster/Emergency Services and one of the jobs of the RC is to reconnect people who've been separated due to war or disasters. If you're trying to find someone impacted by the hurricane (or any other natural disaster) contact YOUR Red Cross chapter. They'll start the process and do what they can. I'm going to warn you...this is not a quick process. It's made especially harder if someone is not or did not go to a Red Cross staffed shelter. But they SHOULD be able to help. If you don't get help from your local chapter, contact the national Red Cross. And this is the perfect time for you to create your own emergency plan. Please work out arrangements of who you'll contact before, during, and after an emergency. Businesses...especially those with remote workers...educate your team about communicating in a disaster. Bring in someone from the Red Cross or your local Office of Emergency Management to do a presentation and help folks create plans. I'm sharing a link in the comments. Please pass the info on.

Supporting Hurricane Helene Relief in Florida, a quick vent... I have had the privilege of assisting operations in support of Hurricane Helene efforts in the state of Florida. As an individual with a Special Operations background, with years of experience operating in some of the most complex and high-stakes environments, I've seen firsthand the importance of reliable support in critical moments. Whether it's on the battlefield or during natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, being prepared and responsive is everything. I've been in situations where every minute matters, and I've always known that the people who truly have your back are the ones who show up, no matter the time or day. Unfortunately, during these emergencies, I've also seen companies and individuals claim they have the tools and software to help but then disappear when it counts. They don’t answer the phone, emails, and they don’t work on weekends—leaving people in desperate situations without the promised support. In my opinion, this is nothing short of gaslighting. Unfortunately, these companies tend to "show up" whenever there is an emergency. That’s why I stick with companies and entities that come from the Special Operations community (a bit bias yes, and for good reason), those who understand what it means to always answer the call. These are the folks who are there 24/7, who know what it means to operate under pressure, and who don't vanish when the going gets tough. If you're supporting the relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, make sure you're working with partners who truly deliver, not just when it's convenient and doesnt interrupt Football Weekends (as one company so profoundly put it), but especially when it’s not. Thank you to everyone, especially those from our military and Public Safety communities who continues to make a difference. 💪 #HurricaneHelene #FloridaStrong #SpecialOperations #DisasterRelief #AlwaysReady

An update from RealTech

Hurricane Helene: Epsilon's Response and Employee Support In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina, Epsilon has taken swift action to support our team and maintain operations. Our priority: ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees. Key updates: • All employees accounted for and safe • Greenville office operational; Weaverville office on generator power • Critical infrastructure restored Employee support measures: • Relocation assistance for displaced staff • Flexible work arrangements • Colleague support networks activated We're proud of our team's resilience and the outpouring of support within our Epsilon family. Employees have stepped up to: • Help coworkers secure essentials (food, water, shelter) • Cover workloads for those unable to work • Provide emotional support to affected colleagues While the road to recovery will be challenging, we're committed to supporting our team and community every step of the way. Epsilon stands strong with Western North Carolina as we rebuild together. #HurricaneRelief #EmployeeSupport #TeamEpsilon #Resilience #HurricaneHelene #Asheville #NorthCarolina

As a member of Team Rubicon, I hear your call to action loud and clear. Our greyshirts are indeed mobilizing, both those already on the ground and those preparing to deploy. This is precisely the kind of situation we've trained for, and it's time to put our skills and dedication to work. Hurricane Helene sounds like an extremely serious threat, with its Category 4 status and 140 mph winds. The potential for a 20-foot storm surge in some areas is particularly alarming. It's clear that the communities in its path will need significant support and assistance in the coming days and weeks. To my fellow greyshirts: We're about to face one of our toughest challenges yet. As we say goodbye to our families and put our regular lives on hold, let's remember why we do this. People are counting on us. Lives are at stake. This is our chance to make a real difference when it matters most. For those deploying to the ground: - Stay safe and look out for each other. - Trust your training and remain adaptable as the situation evolves. - Remember, we're stronger together. Lean on your team. For those supporting remotely: - Your role is crucial. Keep the information flowing and resources moving. - Be ready to pivot as needs change rapidly. - Your efforts will directly impact our effectiveness on the ground. To all of Team Rubicon: Let's show everyone what we're made of. We've trained for this, we've prepared for this, and now it's time to execute. The people of Florida are counting on us. Let's get to work and show them the very best of what Team Rubicon can do. Stay strong, stay focused, and let's make a difference out there. This is what we live for. Let's go, greyshirts! #teamrubicon #GSD

The devastation is unimaginable. If you are interested in helping, links are in the article.

Beyond thankful my 2 girls and I are safe from the hurricane — Definitely eye opening to see the immense amount of damage that happened to friends homes and those a street over from us both ways…heart goes out to all those who lost so much. Extremely grateful for our safety/protection to say the very least. 🩵 I’m also writing this post in hopes of receiving any sort of help/response/communication from Spectrum / Spectrum Enterprise — During the storm, an email was sent out stating that the internet was down and once it was safe again to restore, they would begin to do so. That was the last word anyone in the Tampa Bay Area has been provided. With zero update from the company since and multiple attempts to get in touch with someone— all I been able to get are automated voice messages and automated emails back... All this said: 🛜🛜 I work from home like so many people do and of course, internet is absolutely needed. (Hotspot hasn’t done enough to stay online in the manner as to which I need it to + I pay for it to) This has affected my end of last week responsibilities and work I had to do, that I have had to continue to push out because Spectrum has not been in any way clear with their customers about restoration, with no time frame for when it will be performed + completed. I am anxiously waiting to hear that I do not have to go into next week the same way I (understandably due to the hurricane) had to end last week — And as a single mother, I have no choice but to ensure I’m providing for my family- which makes this a personal + professional problem. I’m asking for assistance from Spectrum / Spectrum Enterprise on this matter, and if anything, I would appreciate any kind of update (not only for myself but for countless others who are in not great positions as well) due to the poor lack of communication on the companys behalf — I’ve tried all other angles to speak to literally anyone, this is my last resort. In business…keeping your customers up to date and providing a good experience even during trying times by respectfully communicating— does a whole lot more than even large businesses understand. To keep your customers coming back - trust + communication are vital…which is not what is happening right now, at all. ^^ TLDR: Spectrum — please advise and provide an update on the issue of #internet being out, still, in #Tampabay

May I propose Hurricane Disruption Project (COTS CC) to reduce 300+lives annually lost at $165Billion annually cost as a way over the next 10years to have $1.6Trillion available in the Federal budget? If an adversary (Dr. No of James Bond fame) figures out how to create either hurricanes or droughts, then the weaponization of the weather would be more costly. My proposal only needs verbal support and referrals to stakeholders to consider investigating the possibility. Targeted stakeholders are $1M or more contributors to Florida Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund headed by Charles Schwab, Amazon, Walmart, and 48 others. The project will mature within 2years. Then the COTS CC roadway/housing/food cultivation across the Pacific Ocean to control North America & European Global Weather and support 20 billion Earth inhabitants can take place.

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated our beloved Fort Myers Beach, wiping out 100% of businesses and severely damaging 90% of the structures. But from this destruction, we've embarked on a mission that’s incredibly close to my heart: finding innovative ways to rebuild and revitalize our community. 💡 Recently, we've explored a groundbreaking approach to construction that promises to be faster and more cost-effective. Imagine building a high-quality, 1700 square foot house in a factory using the same materials as traditional on-site construction, and then assembling it on location in just 21 days. A couple of weeks ago, we witnessed this concept in action. In just three and a half hours, four modules were lifted by a crane and assembled into a complete house. The result? A tangible sign of hope, resilience, and a brighter future for our community. Our journey showcases the power of human ingenuity and the unwavering spirit of Fort Myers Beach. 🌟 Have you been involved in disaster recovery or witnessed similar revitalization efforts? Share your experiences and insights so we can collectively foster and inspire meaningful change. #DisasterRecovery #InnovativeConstruction #CommunityResilience #FortMyersBeach #HurricaneIanRecovery #RealEstateDevelopment

As Hurricane Francine makes her way to Southeast Louisiana, it’s time for us to come together as a community and prepare. At Rêve Realtors, we care about your safety and want to ensure everyone is ready to weather the storm. Here are some essential steps to take: 📌Gather emergency supplies: water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and first aid kits. 📌Charge all electronics and backup power sources. 📌Fill your gas tank and have cash on hand. 📌Secure important documents in a waterproof container. 📌Prepare your home: clear gutters, secure outdoor items, and reinforce doors and windows. 📌 Plan for evacuation if necessary, especially if you’re in a flood-prone area. 📌 Check on loved ones, neighbors, and those who may need extra help. 📌 Stay tuned to local alerts and follow official safety guidelines. At Rêve, we’re committed to keeping our community safe. Let’s stand together, prepare, and face this with strength. Stay safe, everyone! 🌀