Sunday, June 1st marked the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which continues until November 30th. This time of year brings increased risk to many communities, and it is a period of high alert for disaster relief organizations like NECHAMA.
Since our first deployment to the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, NECHAMA has responded to dozens of hurricanes. These include many familiar storms like Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, Florence and Ian, all of which caused enormous destruction during this season in past years.
As you probably know, NECHAMA has been deployed to Western North Carolina since October 2024, helping the region recover from Hurricane Helene. We will continue providing relief there at least through this summer. However, if the past becomes prologue, it is almost certain that we will also respond to another devastating weather event before the season ends.
Satellite image of Hurricane Helene on September 27th, 2024. (Image credit: NOAA)
This year’s hurricane season is expected to be stronger than normal. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the federal agency charged with weather forecasting and home to some of the nation’s leading experts on hurricanes, we could see 13 to 19 named storms this year. Of those, 6 to 10 are projected to become hurricanes (winds of 75 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). If they make landfall, these storms are the ones that take many lives and cause huge damage.
To ensure we are ready to respond to these challenges, we need your help. When you give to NECHAMA, you do more than clear debris or rebuild houses. You provide hope and comfort (NECHAMA means “to comfort” in Hebrew) to communities shattered by the storms.
Your donation means that disaster survivors can take their first steps toward recovery. And recovery means reclaiming lives, homes, and dignity. It’s just that simple. Thanks to your generosity, homes filled with mud, moldy walls, and debris can be cleaned and restored.
We hope for a calm hurricane season, but with your support, we at NECHAMA will be ready to jump in and deploy as needed.
Sincerely,
Stephan Kline
CEO