The usually picturesque tourist destination with clear blue water and vibrantly colorful landscapes has been reduced to flooded roadways, dilapidated homes, and apocalyptic conditions since Hurricane Maria made landfall last week in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane.

Just two weeks after Hurricane Irma caused devastation in the Caribbean, Maria’s destruction has left millions of residents without power, fuel, food, or water. Governor Ricardo Rosselló of Puerto Rico estimates that 97 percent of the island is still without power and running water.

Hurricane Maria is responsible for 16 deaths in Puerto Rico, with the survivors forced to ration what little supplies remain. FEMA has been providing some lifesaving resources to the U.S. territory, but Puerto Ricans could use any additional help they can get to rebuild. Here are ways you can help from Baltimore. 

Monetary Donations
Baltimore native and NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has created a crowd-funding campaign to help bring relief to the devastated island. To date, it has raised more than $200,000 toward the one million dollar goal.

“Hurricane Maria has caused catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico and the residents will need our help and support to rebuild,” he wrote on the page. “Please join me in raising the necessary funds to get the much-needed supplies and assistance to the people of Puerto Rico.”

The First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, has also teamed up with corporate giants like Coca Cola, Walmart, and Walgreens to help raise money for hurricane victims with United for Puerto Rico.

The Salvation Army and American Red Cross are also accepting donations to aid survivors of the disaster that swept through the Caribbean.

Get Active
Fit4Mom Baltimore City, a local group dedicated to fitness and motherhood, will be hosting “$5 Stroller Strides for Puerto Rico” on Friday, September 29. For each mom that comes to the stroller-based fitness class, the group will donate $5 to United for Puerto Rico. After the class there will be a trivia contest and with every correct answer, Fit4Mom will donate an additional $5.

“I reached out to two former clients, one with most of her family in Puerto Rico, and one who relocated there not too long ago, to get a recommendation for a local organization we could send money to,” said Rachel Wagner, owner of Fit4Mom Baltimore. “Unidos por Puerto Rico was the only one recommended, and upon researching is also the initiative that five of our former presidents are promoting via the One America Appeal, so my decision was easily made.”

Washington D.C. nonprofit Run Hope Work is sponsoring a 5K run in Washington D.C. on October 1 to benefit victims of Hurricane Maria. A donation of $25 or more will grant you entry to the race and a Puerto Rico bandana. All funds raised will be donated to the nonprofit Friends of Puerto Rico to help rebuild the island.

SalsaNow, a local dance company that provides lessons in Latin dance, will host a fundraiser dance on Friday, October 6 at Game to help victims. For $10 participants will receive admission, lessons, and dancing.

Volunteer Time
The Salvation Army welcomes volunteers to travel to Puerto Rico to assist in numerous capacities like offering food to rescue workers and survivors or providing emotional and spiritual support to victims. In August, Chas Eby, communications director for Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), told us that Marylanders should consider contacting known organizations to get involved.

“There is a website that local residents can go to, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster,” he said. “The organizations listed are reputable and will be more than happy to accept help from anywhere they can get it.”

Devastation hit the city of Houston, Texas hard on Friday as Hurricane Harvey made landfall. The rains lasted for three days, leaving 30,000 victims displaced and more than two feet of rain across the city. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Brock Long said “this is a landmark event for Texas. 

On a local level, Chas Eby—communications director for Maryland Emergency Management Agency—emphasized the importance of being prepared as a tropical storm offshoot of Harvey travels up the Atlantic Coast.

“Having a preparedness plan is extremely vital,” he said. “We do not expect to experience impacts like Houston, but we will get a significant amount of rain.” 

While many Houstonians are being rescued and evacuated, forecasters say that more rain is coming. Recovering from a disaster of this magnitude could take years, according to FEMA, and any assistance is useful. As emergency crews, charities, and aid groups in Texas gear up to help the victims of Harvey, here are some ways you can help from Baltimore.

Monetary donations

You may not have $25,000 to donate like comedian Kevin Hart, but small donations can make the difference in providing food and shelter for one person. Donors can text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross. Catholic Charities USA, the relief agency for the U.S. Catholic Church, is accepting donations online and by phone by simply texting CCUSADISASTER to 71777.

NFL star and Houston Texan JJ Watt created a crowd-funding campaign to raise money for the victims of Harvey.

“Hurricane Harvey has taken a catastrophic toll on our great city, while leaving many stranded and in need of assistance,” Watt wrote. “We must come together and collectively help rebuild the aspects of our community members’ lives that were damaged or lost. Any donation that you can spare, no matter how large or small, is greatly appreciated. We will come out of this stronger than ever. We are Texans.”

Watt kicked off the efforts with a personal donation of $100,000 toward the $500,000 goal.

The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has also established a Hurricane Harvey relief fund with the Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF).  The GHFC will accept tax-deductible donations for the victims of the recent flooding in Houston. 

GoFundMe has also started multiple campaigns to raise funds for victims and animal relief in the wake of the devastation.

Local dining establishments have also recently vowed to support the cause. On Sunday, September 3, Pikesville’s La Food Marketa will be donating 50 percent of all brunch sales to relief efforts in Houston. 

Volunteer

Donating your time can be instrumental in assisting the relief efforts. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army deploy volunteers to disaster areas to assist in numerous capacities like offering food to rescue workers and survivors or providing emotional and spiritual support to victims. 

Eby says that Marylanders should consider volunteering to “known” organizations as a means to get involved.

“There is a website that local residents can go to, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, to find a list of groups that are participating in the efforts in Houston,” he said. “The organizations listed are reputable and will be more than happy to accept help from anywhere they can get it.”

Check in with family and friends

Social media platforms like Facebook have allowed users to check in and share their “safe” status with friends. But if you happen to have family and friends that live in the Houston area, Eby says it’s best to check on them directly to ensure they are safe.

“We encourage local residents to reach out to anyone they may know in the disaster area,” he said. “If they have experienced power outages or are injured and can’t get help, you may be able to assist in reaching out to first responders even from Baltimore.”