In September and October 2024, the Southeastern U.S. was struck by two powerful hurricanes, Helene and Milton, causing widespread destruction. The storms left communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond struggling with the aftermath: destroyed homes, disrupted lives, and severely damaged or completely destroyed infrastructure.

In these critical moments, World Vision’s swift and steadfast response has made a significant difference. Partnering with 20 local churches, we distributed essential supplies like clean water, generators, diapers, personal care items, and more, ensuring that people in the hardest-hit areas readily accessed the basics they needed.

Rev. Louis M. Murphy, Sr., of Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Florida, shared his gratitude: “To be able to partner with World Vision, a worldwide organization that has that local touch as well, is incredible.”

Our commitment to supporting these communities extends beyond short-term relief to long-term recovery and rebuilding.

“World Vision’s mission is not only to be among the first to respond when disaster strikes, but also to stay long after the headlines fade,” World Vision’s National Director of U.S. Programs, Reed Slattery said. “That’s what we mean by being ‘first in, last out.’ Our commitment is to help families not just survive the immediate impacts of the storm but to thrive long-term by rebuilding their homes. We’re honored to be the Lord’s hands and feet during the most difficult times in the lives of storm survivors.”

Your immediate support and ongoing impact

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the partnership of churches, faith-based organizations, and community organizations, we’ve distributed 57 truckloads of aid, bringing relief to communities across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

As of September 2025, World Vision’s response has supported 90,914 people in the hardest-hit communities. Through 20 church partnerships, we delivered:

• Over 83,800 pounds of food, including 4,366 Crisis Relief Boxes and 1,100 turkeys for holiday meals
• 19,248 gallons of clean water
• More than 20,000 toys, books, items of clothing, and holiday gift items to families in need

Pastor Gwen Jones from St. John Baptist Church called World Vision’s response “an answer to prayer.”

A future of hope and restoration

We’re continuing to focus on post-storm clean-up and rebuilding as we move into the recovery phase. Our long-term commitments include supporting our partnerships to rebuild 150 homes with building materials such as lumber, drywall, appliances, and more. Long after other organizations have often left, we will continue to stand by these communities, dedicated to helping them rebuild and restore their lives with dignity and hope.

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Hurricane Barry, the second named storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, made landfall on the central Louisiana coast on July 13, 2019. Barry briefly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with winds reaching 75 mph before weakening into a tropical storm. While Barry spared New Orleans, much of southern Louisiana faced significant flooding due to persistent rain and swollen rivers.

As the storm moved north, it brought 3 to 5 inches of rain to eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, and parts of Missouri and Mississippi. Barry was part of a trend where tropical storms had formed before the official start of the hurricane season, marking the fifth year this occurred, with Subtropical Storm Andrea having developed in May.

Hurricane Barry: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

• Fast facts: Hurricane Barry
• Where did Hurricane Barry make landfall?
• What category was Hurricane Barry?
• What did World Vision do to help impacted communities?
• How does World Vision respond to emergencies in the U.S.?
• How can I help families affected by emergencies like Hurricane Barry?

Fast facts: Hurricane Barry

• Barry formed on July 11, 2019, in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Louisiana on July 13, 2019.
• The hurricane reached peak winds of 75 mph and was classified as a Category 1 hurricane.
• Barry made landfall as the second hurricane during 2019 the Atlantic hurricane season, which ran from June 1 to November 30, 2019.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

Where did Hurricane Barry make landfall?

Hurricane Barry made landfall on the central Louisiana coast, approximately 12 miles east-southeast of Pecan Island on July 13, 2019, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What category was Hurricane Barry?

Hurricane Barry briefly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 75 mph, before making landfall on July 13, 2019.

Learn more about hurricanes and understand their severity based on their categories.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What did World Vision do to help impacted communities?

The World Vision Storehouse in Dallas shipped a semitruck loaded with disaster relief supplies to our partner Hosanna Fellowship Church of Gretna, Louisiana. The shipment included essential items like food, clean water, flood muck-out kits, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, diapers, and temporary shelter items, such as tarps, tents, and air mattresses.

Together with local churches and officials, Hosanna Fellowship distributed the relief supplies to Plaquemines Parish and the town of Lafitte in Jefferson Parish, areas that were severely impacted by the storm.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How does World Vision respond to emergencies in the U.S.?

World Vision is always ready to respond to disasters, both globally and in the U.S. These include hurricanes, floods, droughts, earthquakes, conflicts, and refugee crises.

In the U.S., after devastating hurricanes and natural disasters, World Vision acts quickly, drawing on decades of experience. Our nationwide network includes seven strategically placed and fully staffed World Vision Storehouses, stocked with prepositioned supplies ready for rapid delivery.

We work closely with over 3,600 U.S. partners, churches, and local agencies to assess needs, evaluate damage, and distribute essential supplies, focusing on the hardest-hit areas where help is most needed. Beyond immediate relief, we commit to long-term recovery, supporting families, churches, and communities as they rebuild. While aiding affected communities, we invite Pastor Ambassadors to join our efforts, offering guidance, prayers, and mentorship.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How can I help families affected by emergencies like Hurricane Barry?

• Pray: Join us in praying for all those impacted by hurricanes and disasters in the U.S.
• Give: Your gift will help provide relief to people affected by disasters like hurricanes.

The post Hurricane Barry: Facts, FAQs, and how to help appeared first on World Vision.