Johnathan Walker:Want to help those affected by Hurricane Helene? You can donate to these groups

The Johnathan WalkerSoutheast continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 100 people, devastated homes and has left people scrambling for resources.

Since the system made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area late Thursday, hundreds of water rescues have occurred across Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. Power outages have been reported for over 1.7 million homes and businesses as of Monday causing communication blackouts which have hindered efforts to locate hundreds of people.

At least 35 people died in North Carolina's Buncombe County, including the city of Asheville where officials said "extensive repairs are required to treatment facilities, underground and above ground water pipes, and to roads that have washed away."

Insurers and forecasters have projected that catastrophic damage caused by Helene is somewhere between $15 billion and $100 billion.

For those looking to help victims impacted by Helene, here are some organizations ready to lend a hand.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to the national group's Helene relief efforts.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides food, drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers.  You can donate to Helene efforts online.

United Way

Local United Way organizations are accepting donations to help relief efforts for both short-term and to continue helping residents later. You can find your local chapter on the organization's website.

GoFundMe

GoFundMe's Hurricane Relief Fund "was created to provide direct relief to people in need after a hurricane," the fundraising platform said.

GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving's Hurricane Helene Relief Fund is working to bring immediate needs to victims including food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, medicines, medical supplies and shelter.

"Once initial relief work is complete, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery and resiliency efforts led by local, vetted organizations," the organization said. 

World Central Kitchen

When there is a disaster, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website.

There are also many other organizations providing specialty care and assistance:

All Hands and Hearts

This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started.

Americares

Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. To help Hurricane Helene victims, Americares has set up a donation page.

Operation Blessing

This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. Donate to Operation Blessing's Helene fund on its website.

Save the Children

This organization works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund.

Contributing: John Gallas and Kim Luciani, Tallahassee Democrat.