The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) continues to co-ordinate help and support in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the large and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. 

The natural disaster has left at least 150 fatalities in its wake, including 139 in Florida.

The relief group says it is actively responding to Hurricane Ian as well as the earlier Hurricane Fiona, the Jackson water crisis, and flooding in Kentucky and Central Appalachia.

In her latest blog, ALAN executive director Kathy Fulton writes that although non-profits have shipped and delivered supplies, and professionals and volunteers have stepped up to stage rescues and administer care, “this saga is really just beginning”.

“As the clean-up begins, numerous non-profits will be there to help, and they’ll need tons of heavy equipment, as well as shovels, rakes, gloves and proper protective gear to get the job done. And once the clean-up is completed, those and other non-profits will need sheetrock and insulation and hammers and nails so that rebuilding can begin,” she writes.

“That’s where we at ALAN come in, because it’s going to take a lot of logistics in the form of trucks, warehouses, forklifts, pallet jacks and expertise to make deliveries of those items possible.”

The group has listed a number of specific requests on its website, including warehouse space in and near Fort Myers, trucks and trailers in Port Charlotte and Fort Myers, and a range of forklifts, pallet jacks and rough-terrain stackers. Details of the requirements can be found here.

Meanwhile, Toyota Material Handling and its partner companies will donate USD100,000 to the American Red Cross to support communities affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ian. 

Toyota Material Handling (TMH), The Raymond Corporation, Toyota Advanced Logistics/Bastian Solutions, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance (TICF), and Toyota Industries Commercial Finance Canada (TICFC) have come together to make the combined contribution to disaster relief.  

“Toyota Material Handling not only supports the American Red Cross financially in these times of severe need, but also with a large number of associate volunteers and regular blood drives,” says Bill Finerty, president and CEO of Toyota Material Handling. “We are proud to support disaster relief in Florida and the Carolinas as they continue to face hardship in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.”