DEVASTATING FLORENCE: Here's how you can help

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina Friday, bringing 90 mph winds, towering storm surges and the promise of up to 40 inches of rain in some areas.

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While the storm is still moving through the Carolinas, charitable organizations are gathering resources and asking for help.

If you want to help, there are a few things you should do first.

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First, you may want to go to Charity Navigator, the website that ranks charitable organizations for they effectiveness in using donated money. Check out the ratings for organizations you are interested in.

You can also read Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines before you send money, clothes or anything else.

Here are some of the organizations with programs that aim to help those affected by Florence:

To donate to general funds:

GlobalGiving – A crowdfunding group that supports grassroots charity organizations. For Florence, it's Hurricane Florence relief fund.

GoFundMe – Look for pages to go up soon asking for help as the storm leaves the area.

The Red Cross – You can give $10 by texting "FLORENCE" to 90999

To help animals:

American Humane – The group helps animals at risk because of the storm.

To help children:

For the disabled:

Portlight Strategies – The organization helps older adults and people with disabilities. (If anyone needs assistance from Portlight, call 1-800-626-4959.

To donate blood:

Try these organizations if you want to donate blood: AABB, America's Blood Centers, American Red Cross, Armed Services Blood Program.

For the military:

For current or former military members, the Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society have resources available.

– A group of veterans who help in national disasters.

Cox Media Group