Today, Long-Term Recovery Groups Continue Helping Storm Survivors Across the State
Lutz, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2025) – Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton* may have left Florida over a year ago, but the destruction and disruption to daily living still linger. Consequently, The Salvation Army continues its care and ministry through Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) assembled to restore normalcy and quality of life to afflicted communities.
“The Salvation Army always integrates recovery into our disaster preparedness plans, so we not only respond rapidly to emergencies; we also arrive planning to stay involved long after the initial crisis passes,” said Steven Hartsook, Florida divisional director of emergency disaster services. “We know that for those traumatized by devastation and loss, recovery takes many months and sometimes years.”
Statewide Impact from the 2024 Hurricanes
After early season Hurricane Debbie (Cat 1) hit Florida’s Big Bend on Aug. 5, 2024, Helene (Cat 4, Sept. 26) and Milton (Cat 3, Oct. 9) made landfall just two and a half weeks apart at the peak of the season. Of Florida’s 67 counties, 52 were impacted and included in the federal disaster declaration for Helene and Milton, prompting the formation and activation of LTRGs across the state. Currently, nearly 40 LTRGs are operating in Florida—some newly formed, others with years or even decades of experience.
How Does Long-Term Recovery Work?
Using a case management approach, LTRGs connect organizations to pool resources in obtaining materials, labor, funding and more. Addressing unmet financial, physical, emotional and spiritual needs, LTRGs help community members bridge gaps to make their lives whole again.
According to Hartsook, The Salvation Army participates in LTRGs to support unmet financial needs and, due to the generous support of donors responding in one of the state’s greatest times of need, the organization has an allocated budget of $3.75 million for Florida recovery efforts from the 2024 storms.
“When the cameras point elsewhere and others move on with their lives, The Salvation Army will still be there, restoring hope to storm survivors and those in need,” he said.
*Select 2024 Hurricane Season Statistics from The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services
| 2024 Hurricane | Canteens (Mobile Feeding Units) | Meals | Drinks | Hygiene Kits | Water Cases | Hours Served |
| Debbie | 7 | 8,402 | 2,333 | 2,000 | 23 | 2,402 |
| Helene | 34 | 52,637 | 26,554 | 1,532 | 2,773 | 9,367 |
| Milton | 40 | 167,803 | 81,459 | 21,796 | 5,618 | 16,152 |
| 2024 Totals | 81 | 228,842 | 110,346 | 25,328 | 8,414 | 27,921 |
