Hurricane Milton's death toll has reached 14 and left 3 million without power. The hurricane hit Florida about a week and a half after Hurricane Helene. Catholic Charities USA has launched disaster relief donation campaigns. CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S.A. and a member of Caritas Internationalis, belonging to the Catholic Church's worldwide network. It released the fund on October 9. Milton his Florida with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. Over 230 people were killed from Hurricane Helene, according to ABC, which from September 26th-29th, caused major damage across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
“Our brothers and sisters urgently need our prayers and our support as Hurricane Milton brings life-threatening conditions to Florida communities, some of which are still reeling from Hurricane Helene,” CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson said. Catholic Charities agencies across five states are providing immediate relief with necessities such as water, food and shelter. Thanks to an outpouring of generous donations in less than two weeks, CCUSA already has distributed more than $1.9 million to Catholic Charities agencies in affected areas, and the Catholic Charities network will stand by these communities through the long-term recovery.
Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region last week as a Category 4 hurricane.
The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg released the following Early Reports of Damage:
The Diocese of Saint Petersburg offices will be closed until it can be deemed safe to reopen. The building sustained damage as high winds caused windows to shatter. There is also no power and no utilities. The area surrounding the offices also suffered damage such as home and business flooding, trees down, and property damage. Other early reports of damage include:
The Diocese of Saint Petersburg offices will be closed until it can be deemed safe to reopen. The building sustained damage as high winds caused windows to shatter. There is also no power and no utilities. The area surrounding the offices also suffered damage such as home and business flooding, trees down, and property damage. Other early reports of damage include:
-Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg had significant water intrusion.
-St. Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church in the Town and Country area sustained flooding and the property is not reachable at this time.
-The St. James Chapel at the Bethany Retreat Center, in Lutz has flooded. The surrounding lakes have overflowed onto the grounds and parking lot. There are many trees down and one has landed on the Youth Center.
-St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Spring Hill has had damage to the church, including roof leaks.
-St. Anthony Catholic Church, in San Antonio has had roof leaks and debris damage.
-St Jerome Catholic Church, in Largo has had considerable roof damage including lost shingles and various roof leaks.
-Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, Dade City has has roof leaks.
-Pinellas Hope suffered significant damage.
Diocesan leadership and Catholic Charities leadership are evaluating where the greatest need is and how to respond. The Diocese of St. Petersburg implemented an Employee Assistance Reimbursement Program to help employees recoup some disaster related costs related to Hurricane Helene. This will also be a resource for survivors of Hurricane Milton.
Image Source: Venice, Florida Municipal Government
-St. Joseph Vietnamese Catholic Church in the Town and Country area sustained flooding and the property is not reachable at this time.
-The St. James Chapel at the Bethany Retreat Center, in Lutz has flooded. The surrounding lakes have overflowed onto the grounds and parking lot. There are many trees down and one has landed on the Youth Center.
-St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Spring Hill has had damage to the church, including roof leaks.
-St. Anthony Catholic Church, in San Antonio has had roof leaks and debris damage.
-St Jerome Catholic Church, in Largo has had considerable roof damage including lost shingles and various roof leaks.
-Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, Dade City has has roof leaks.
-Pinellas Hope suffered significant damage.
Diocesan leadership and Catholic Charities leadership are evaluating where the greatest need is and how to respond. The Diocese of St. Petersburg implemented an Employee Assistance Reimbursement Program to help employees recoup some disaster related costs related to Hurricane Helene. This will also be a resource for survivors of Hurricane Milton.
Image Source: Venice, Florida Municipal Government
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