The Carolina Tornados are proud to host a relief drive for the victims of Hurricane Florence. This initiative aims to support those affected by the devastating natural disaster.

We invite community members to participate and contribute to this important cause. Whether you want to volunteer or donate, your support can make a significant difference.

For healthcare professionals looking to assist, we encourage you to register through the link provided below:

Join us at Shop Amador to learn more about how you can help the Florence relief efforts. Together, we can provide essential support to those in need.

Looking Back on Florence Relief and How Communities Help After a Disaster

Hurricane Florence made landfall in the Carolinas in September 2018 and is remembered less for its wind than for its rain. The storm moved slowly, and days of heavy rainfall pushed rivers over their banks across eastern North Carolina and parts of South Carolina. Recovery from that kind of flooding takes a long time. Homes need to be gutted and dried, roads and water systems need repair, and families can be displaced for months. Drives like the one described above were part of a wide regional effort, and that effort has since passed. The lessons it offers still apply whenever a disaster strikes, whether it is a hurricane in the Southeast or a wildfire closer to Amador County.

What tends to help most

  • Money given to established relief organisations. Cash lets responders buy what is actually needed, close to where it is needed. It also avoids the cost of sorting and shipping donated goods.
  • Goods requested by name. When a drive collects items, it works best when it follows a specific list from the receiving agency, such as cleaning supplies, hygiene kits or baby formula. Unsorted clothing is far less useful.
  • Volunteering through official channels. Showing up uninvited can strain the resources of an area that is already struggling. Registering ahead of time means your skills are matched to real needs. This matters especially for licensed healthcare workers, because credentials must be verified.
  • Giving blood. Disasters often disrupt blood collection in the affected region, so donating at a local blood centre can help supply move to where it is needed.

Giving safely

Scams tend to appear after major disasters. Before you donate:

  • Check a charity's registration.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages.
  • Avoid paying by gift card or wire transfer.

If you are unsure, it is better to give directly through an organisation's own website than through a third party.

Preparing at home

Every relief story is also a reminder to prepare. Keep these ready at home:

  • A basic emergency kit
  • Copies of important documents
  • A family communication plan

Community gatherings are a good place to share this kind of information. Keep an eye on our events page for local happenings, and see Visit for practical details about coming to the plaza.