After Record Hurricanes, Delivering on Relief

Rhea-AI Summary

FedEx has played a important role in supporting disaster relief efforts following the record-breaking 2024 hurricane season, particularly after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Hurricane Helene, a Category-4 storm, was the deadliest to hit the continental U.S. since Katrina (2005), while Hurricane Milton, a Category-3 storm, caused $3.17 billion in insurance claims in Florida.

FedEx partnered with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit, to deliver essential supplies across five states. The company shipped cold-weather gear and Field Technology kits to 10 Forward Operating Bases, enabling 1,500 Greyshirt volunteers to serve over 37,500 hurricane survivors in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Positive

• Demonstrated operational efficiency in disaster relief logistics
• Successfully supported relief efforts across 5 states and 10 operating bases
• Helped serve over 37,500 hurricane survivors through Team Rubicon partnership

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 19, 2024 / FedEx Corporation:

FedEx helps veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon put the tools of recovery into disaster zones-and into the hands of disaster response volunteers.

By Julie H. Case, Editor, Team Rubicon

The 2024 hurricane season is (hopefully) in the books, and once again it showcased above-average activity. From the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record-Hurricane Beryl-to back-to-back major Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the season set records. And, punished the American southeast.

After making landfall as a major Category-4 Hurricane on September 26, Helene swept into the southern Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding there, and widespread wind damage from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. The National Hurricane Center's preliminary data indicates Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

Then came Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category-3 near Siesta Key, FL, on October 9 and spawned an outbreak of 46 tornadoes across the state. Those tornadoes, plus the torrential rainfall and localized flooding as well as the destructive storm surge Milton brought at least $3.17 billion in insurance claims within Florida to date.

In response, veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit Team Rubicon spun up operations across five states to help survivors recover from the storms. According to Deputy Director for Operations Support Lashelle Bullock, Team Rubicon leaned heavily on FedEx to deliver everything from clothing for volunteers-known as Greyshirts-to the tech equipment necessary for serving hurricane survivors to the disaster zones.

As the temperatures dropped, especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the nonprofit used FedEx gifts-in-kind to ship hoodies, beanies, and other cold-weather gear to 10 different Forward Operating Bases across five states. Additionally, Team Rubicon leaned on FedEx to ship critical Field Technology kits, which Greyshirts use to capture details on damage to homes that need repair as well as homeowner information.

Getting the supplies Greyshirts need into a disaster zone is no easy feat, but it is one FedEx has become quite accustomed to over the years.

"We operate like a well-oiled machine when it comes to disaster relief efforts. Being proactive to organize and plan our response into an affected area is key to helping those affected quickly," says Heather Harshbarger, Communications Advisor at FedEx. "So, as a disaster like Hurricane Helene or Milton approaches, and in the hours after it passes, FedEx teams are meeting internally and with our supported NGOs like Team Rubicon to evaluate damage and outages in the affected areas and the routes leading to them. Then we determine what we must do to get around them."

"Knowing that disaster relief volunteers like those with Team Rubicon will be responding as soon as possible, our FedEx teams quickly figure out how to deliver vital supplies into disaster zones," explains Harshbarger.

To date, FedEx in-kind shipments have already helped 1,500 Greyshirts serve more than 37,500 Hurricane Helene and Milton survivors in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: FedEx Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How many hurricane survivors did FDX help through Team Rubicon in 2024?

FedEx helped Team Rubicon serve more than 37,500 hurricane survivors in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina during the 2024 hurricane season.

What was FDX's role in Hurricane Helene and Milton disaster relief?

FedEx provided logistics support by delivering essential supplies, including cold-weather gear and Field Technology kits, to 10 Forward Operating Bases across five states.

How many Team Rubicon volunteers did FDX support during the 2024 hurricane season?

FedEx supported 1,500 Team Rubicon Greyshirt volunteers through in-kind shipments during the 2024 hurricane relief efforts.

What type of supplies did FDX deliver for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief?

FedEx delivered cold-weather gear (hoodies, beanies) and Field Technology kits used to capture damage details and homeowner information in disaster zones.