On Sept. 14, Hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas, and continued to move westward into the continental U.S. It originated in the Atlantic Ocean, and hit major cities including Charleston, South Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. As of Sept. 14,  there have been 37 hurricane-related deaths, mostly occurring in the Carolinas. Residents of the states have experienced power outages and major flooding.

The relief effort to assist the Southeastern states has recently begun. On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump visited the Carolinas to help the federal troops clean up, and to give his personal prayers to the victims who died due to the hurricane.

“The job you’ve done has been incredible. They’re talking it about all over the world,” Trump said to those aiding in the clean-up effort.

Other relief groups also helped clean up areas and homes destroyed by Florence, such as The North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM). These volunteers are a part of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Lumberton, North Carolina. They handed out 20,000 meals and bottles of water to the community of Lumberton after it was ravished by the hurricane.

“I expected around 8,500 cars to roll through this church parking lot over the course of two and a half hours,” Gregg Riggs, the head of the relief team of NCBM said to NBC News.

Another group working to help the victims of Florence is the American Red Cross. The Red Cross has asked for donations of money and blood to help the families and officials affected by Florence. A company known as Ross Stones, based in Dublin, California, gave a $150,000 cash donation to the Red Cross for the hurricane relief effort. However, the Red Cross is still asking for more Americans to give what they can to help those affected by Hurricane Florence.

“I have hope that all the people affected by the hurricane are fine and well, and will make it through this tough time,” Dakota H.’ 21 said.

Ohio experienced rain and hard thunderstorms for one day, but did not encounter massive floods or damaged houses like North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia did. However, students at OHS have family members who were affected or feel concerned about the hurricane effects.

“I feel the people affected by the hurricane will stay strong and become united as a whole,” John F.’20 said.