Requested Aid Departs for Hawai’i, Mainland U.S. Experiencing Power Outages, Severe Storms

Several thousand people remained without power on Tuesday morning after a major storm swept through the Hawaiian Islands. Maui and the Big Island were under high wind warnings through Monday evening, following excessive rain from the weekend that created dangerous, flood-like conditions and mudslides in some areas. The multi-day storm has since weakened while moving northeast, but scattered rainstorms persist, according to the National Weather Service.

The ongoing storm damage has caused road and business closures due to safety concerns. Direct Relief is in contact with multiple partners across Hawaii and has shipped over $100,000 in medical aid to Hawai'i this past month.On Monday, Direct Relief shipped personal care products and solar chargers to the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai'i on both islands for distribution to displaced and unhoused people from the storm. Direct Relief is also in communication with organizations across the island about additional medical needs in the wake of the storm.

In addition to Hawai'i's intense storm, cold weather and tornado warnings impacted large swathes of the mainland U.S. Earlier this month, an EF-3 tornado swept through Kankakee, Illinois, killing at least one person and damaging nearly 30 homes. On Monday, Direct Relief dispatched personal care items, including soap, dental hygiene products, and shampoo for people displaced by the storms. These items were shipped to the Community Health Partnership of Illinois' facility in Kankakee.

Blizzard-like snow has also blanketed the Upper Midwest. Parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin saw nearly two feet of snow over the weekend, followed by severe ice. In Michigan, some residents saw record-breaking daily snowfall totals and up to three feet of snow on Monday. News reports described the events as "life-threatening" and "blizzard bomb" conditions due to record snowfall for the spring month. West and northern Michigan areas are expected to continue to see heavy, lake-effect snow with freezing rain and ice throughout Tuesday. More than 90,000 Michigan residents were without power Tuesday due to the severe weather.

Southeastern states in the U.S. experienced a severe freeze warning following warm days. The extreme temperature changes have resulted in tornado-like conditions as excessive winds whip the region. Some states are expected to see winds from 30 to 40 miles per hour and in excess of 60 to 85 miles per hour into Tuesday evening. The high winds can cause severe structural destruction through downed power lines and trees.

Direct Relief remains in communication with primary care associations, community health centers, free clinics, and other organizations that may be impacted by ongoing storms and will continue to respond to medical needs.