Storm kit staging
Rapid Harbor Relief pallets water, tarps and radios in Miami warehouses before named storms enter the Gulf.
Disaster relief · South Florida and Caribbean
When storms hit, we move supplies first.
Rapid Harbor Relief pre-positions water, tarps and hygiene kits in Miami, Tampa and San Juan warehouses before hurricane season, then deploys volunteer chainsaw crews and case managers within forty-eight hours of landfall. Our logistics team tracks every pallet with barcodes scanned at load and unload, and finance publishes daily spend snapshots during activations. Survivors meet navigators who help with FEMA appeals, contractor scams and mold remediation checklists written in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. We do not charge affected families for supplies, and we stay on the ground until local partners ask us to transition out.
Rapid Harbor Relief impact
- Pre-positioned supply depots
- 18
- Hygiene kits staged
- 2,200
- Case managers on roster
- 140
- Partner shelters
- 36
How Rapid Harbor Relief works
Rapid Harbor Relief keeps program descriptions specific so donors know what each dollar buys and volunteers know which training to attend before their first shift.
Air and road deploys
Logistics teams track pallet barcodes from warehouse to shelter with nightly status calls to county EOCs.
Case managers after landfall
Managers help families complete FEMA and insurance forms in libraries with childcare corners staffed by volunteers.
Rapid Harbor Relief milestones
Rapid Harbor Relief publishes dates and outcomes so partners can see when major grants landed and when programs expanded.
- 2012
Harbor warehouse
Secured first Miami depot after Hurricane Isaac exposed gaps in hygiene kit stock.
- 2017
Maria response
Sent bilingual case managers to Orlando shelters serving Puerto Rican evacuees.
- 2022
Ian pre-positioning
Doubled pallet counts in Fort Myers ahead of landfall with donor-funded fuel reserves.
- 2025
Navigator map
Launched live map of open shelters and medical triage sites updated hourly after storms.
Rapid Harbor Relief field photos
Warehouse pallet scans, supply handoffs and navigator desks during Rapid Harbor Relief activations.
Give to Rapid Harbor Relief
Monthly gifts help Rapid Harbor Relief plan staffing beyond grant cycles. One-time gifts restock pallets when a second storm tracks toward the coast.
Rapid Harbor Relief voices
“Rapid Harbor navigators sat with us in Haitian Creole while FEMA forms were still confusing in any language.”
“Barcodes on every pallet meant our church knew exactly which hygiene kits reached the shelter downstairs.”
“Daily spend snapshots during the activation let our foundation board approve transfers without midnight guesswork.”
Rapid Harbor Relief questions
When does Rapid Harbor Relief deploy after a storm?
Pre-positioned warehouses in Miami, Tampa and San Juan release supplies within forty-eight hours of landfall when roads are passable.
Are donations to Rapid Harbor Relief tax deductible?
Gifts to Rapid Harbor Relief are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law for donors who itemize. Receipts include our EIN 65-0893742 and a link to download the IRS determination letter.
Do survivors pay for hygiene kits or tarps?
Affected families never pay for stocked items. Navigators help with FEMA appeals and contractor scam checklists at no cost.
How can volunteers join chainsaw or logistics crews?
Certified volunteers register online with equipment credentials. Safety captains assign zones after a morning briefing.
Visit Rapid Harbor Relief
1395 Northwest 14th Street, Miami, FL 33125
- Operations desk 24/7 during named storms
- Mon–Fri planning 08:00–18:00 otherwise
+1 (305) 555-0136