Three Hurricanes in Two Years: “Devastation That Insurance and FEMA Could Not Fully Address”

Over the past two years, USAging's generous support has enabled our Area Agency on Aging to respond effectively to multiple hurricane disasters that devastated Southwest Florida. Assistance from the USAging Disaster Relief Fund has been instrumental in addressing the unique vulnerabilities that older adults face during and after these catastrophic events.

2024 Hurricane Ian
Following Hurricane Ian's devastation, we served clients facing desperate situations that insurance and FEMA couldn't fully address. With USAging grant funding, we were able to provide critical assistance to clients with urgent needs. 

Here are some ways that the funding assisted clients:

• Covered $1,545.62 in property taxes for a client whose hurricane expenses made this impossible.
• Provided $3,600 for essential home repairs after extensive damage left a home unsafe to live in.
• Funded a $1,000 accessibility ramp for a veteran who lost everything but received a FEMA trailer, just needed to make sure it was accessible. 
• Replaced essential items (mattress, stove, and microwave totaling $1,976.06) for a client who lost everything.

2025 Hurricane Helene and Milton
We distributed 60 Winn-Dixie gift cards purchased with USAging Disaster Relief funds to seniors in rural Hendry and Glades Counties through our partnership with Hope Connections, our lead agency. These clients, already vulnerable due to living in rural food deserts and experiencing social isolation, were further impacted by tornadoes and power outages. The gift cards provided both food security and dignity during the Thanksgiving season.

The impact was profound, as reflected in recipients' words:

"This is just wonderful! I can now buy some fresh vegetables and fruits this month."

"What a blessing this will be for us. We will be able to have our own little Thanksgiving at home now."

Disaster Relief Fund—Restoring Dignity and Hope
The USAging Disaster Relief Fund has enabled us to address gaps that traditional disaster response often misses—from uncovered insurance expenses to basic necessities that government programs don't provide. Most importantly, it has allowed us to restore dignity and hope to older adults when they need it most.

Thank you for the opportunity to showcase the incredible impact of these funds and for USAging's unwavering commitment to supporting older adults during their most vulnerable moments.

—Maricela Morado, President & Chief Executive Officer, Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Fort Myers, FL