As NOAA and FEMA have been controversy factories recently, I don't want us to loose focus on far west North Carolina, far northwest South Carolina and far east Tennessee which were hit so hard by Hurricane Helene. Another brief video is here . If you haven't given, please  consider a monetary gift to Samaritan's Purse  . They are doing incredible work in the region. 

... and, this is accurate.  And, the criticisms with regard to FEMA and the Red Cross continue to come in. I have not recommended donating to the Red Cross for more than a decade. After a great deal of criticism came in after Katrina, their "switching" of donations intended for Hurricane Sandy (2012) relief was unethical. The RC puts its disaster donations into a single pot along with its income from other sources. Money is then doled out as the RC sees fit. In other words, your disaster donation may well end up remodeling a Red Cross office nowhere near the disaster. I also do not like the nearly $700,000 annual salary given to its president (100% of Salvation Army personnel are volunteers) and its use of private jets.  The Red Cross says it gives "nearly" 90% of its donations to various needy people (those who need blood transfusions, veterans, et cetera) but with Salvation Army and Samaritan's Purse, virtually 100% go to those who need it. 

Charles Peek of The Weather Channel is a remarkable reporter. He's getting the stories of Helene that others are missing.  Think about it: going without power for a winter! If you haven't donated to Salvation Army or Samaritan's Purse, what are you waiting for?!