Hurricane Fiona has devastated Puerto Rico. Here's how you can help.

Still healing from the devastation of Hurricane Maria five years ago, Puerto Rico was slammed with relentless rain and wind causing mudslides and "catastrophic" flooding from Hurricane Fiona. The entire island lost power and only a small percentage has it back so far, and hundreds of thousands lack drinking water. Many people need shelter and medical assistance.

Houses were flooded to the roof, according to a helicopter pilot assisting in the over 1,000 water rescues performed so far. Winds of up to 85 mph ripped the tops off homes and businesses and destroyed the island's already-shaky infrastructure. In the central town of Utuado, a temporary bridge installed by the National Guard after Maria just washed away. Ernesto Morales, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Juan, said flooding reached “historic" levels.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide disaster relief services and help the local government's response efforts. Some state governors and many local organizations have announced plans to send aid and personnel to help.

How can I help Hurricane Fiona victims right now?

The fastest way is, of course, to send money. While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, unless they specifically ask for them many charity organizations aren't ready to handle the logistical nightmare of organizing, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to trusted charities means the money goes to what's needed right now in the places it's needed most. Charities also often get bulk discounts and, if possible, will purchase items in the disaster area to help support local economic recovery.

Should I head to Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic and volunteer?

Right now, no. There are disaster response teams and trusted organizations doing that and random volunteers, while appreciated in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to help in disaster recovery and might take up resources needed for locals. There will be local health professionals, Red Cross volunteers and first responders heading to the area, check with them to see how you can help. 

This disaster isn't going away soon, there will be plenty of help needed in the weeks and months and possibly years to come. While the situation is still dangerous, leave in-person help to the professionals.

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What organizations are helping Hurricane Fiona victims?

The following organizations are taking donations of money and emergency supplies to help right away (check back, the list will be updated). If there are already charity organizations or local aid groups you support, check to see if they are collecting to help.

Brigada Solidaria del Oeste

The Puerto Rican mutual-aid group Brigada Solidaria del Oeste is asking for emergency essentials such as first-aid kits, water-purification tablets, water filters, and solar lamps. They also are collecting monetary donations.

Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico

Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico is a community kitchen with a variety of programs to help feed people on the island such as soup kitchens, solidarity purchases and a cooperative supermarket. They are currently accepting monetary donations.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief is the largest non-governmental organization donor of medical supplies — trauma supplies, antibiotics, medications, field medic backpacks, laboratory freezers and refrigerators, etc. — to health care providers in Puerto Rico. They also help install water wells, fire and EMS systems run on solar power. They are taking monetary donations.

Helping Puerto Rico:How can I help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Fiona? Mutual aid, nonprofits to support

The Foundation for Puerto Rico

The Foundation for Puerto Rico, which seeks to improve the economic development of Puerto Rico and also launched over 250 relief missions in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, is asking for donations and volunteers.

Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico

The Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (the Puerto Rico Community Foundation), which has been working to bring health centers, solar power, and access to drinking water, education and housing to the island since 1985, has activated a Community Recovery Fund to support the work of non-profit organizations responding to the emergency.

Global Giving

Global Giving is a nonprofit that connects other nonprofits to donors. They have launched a Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund to support local relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and other affected Caribbean communities, initially by helping "first responders meet survivors' immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter," according to the website. 

The Hispanic Foundation

Washington-based nonprofit The Hispanic Foundation has already sent volunteers to help provide emergency relief services and essential supplies. They are accepting monetary donations.

Project HOPE

Project HOPE, an international organization that assisted in the response to a series of damaging earthquakes that struck Puerto Rico in late 2019 and early 2020, said it has "teams on the ground'' evaluating the health needs of people impacted by the hurricane. Learn more about aiding relief in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic here.

PRxPR

The PRxPR Relief and Rebuild Fund was launched by Puerto Rican business owners after Hurricane Maria to help rebuild infrastructure and provide disaster relief, and they've activated it again for Hurricane Fiona aid.

Puerto Rico National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

Puerto Rico VOAD is part of a network of more than 2,600 locally-based organizations and local representatives of national organizations that respond to communities affected by disasters. They are accepting monetary donations for distribution or you can donate directly to their member organizations.

Taller Salud

Women-led nonprofit Taller Salud is accepting donations of nonperishable food items such as pasta sauce, disposable containers, gallons of water, toiletries, solar lanterns, water filters, adult and baby diapers, gallons of water and more. The group is also accepting cash donations via PayPal.

World Central Kitchen

When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés, is there serving up meals to responders and residents, sourcing and hiring locally to help jump-start the local economy while helping hungry people in crisis. WCK already has relief teams in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic getting freshly prepared meals to impacted communities. They're accepting monetary donations.

How to avoid being scammed

Sadly, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there always will be scammers seeking to take advantage, and your money. Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out.

One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words "scam" or "fraud." You also can research them at one of the organizations that rate charities: The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, or CharityWatch.

Beware of phone calls, emails or online ads soliciting donations. And watch out for fake websites whipped up just to scam generous people after a tragedy.

You can report scammers and shady charities to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling 1-866-720-5721 or filling out its online form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .

Contributors: Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Cady Stanton, USA TODAY

C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with multiple newsrooms across Florida. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to your local news organization. Read more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges