FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2022

Florida- Category 4 Hurricane Ian strikes Florida on September 28, 2022

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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

On Wednesday September 28^th Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 Hurricane bringing intense storm surge over 12ft, high winds that were over 150mph and even sporadic tornadoes around the edges of the storm. Hurricane Ian made landfall initially near Fort Myers in Florida, then proceeded to carve a path through central Florida leaving havoc in its wake.

Hurricane Ian has been deemed by President Biden to potentially be the “deadliest in Florida’s history”, and it is the 5^th most severe Hurricane to make landfall in the history of the United States. The storm has left more than 2 million Florida residents without power, devastating entire cities and with many lives lost. Hurricane Ian had already left its mark throughout the Caribbean, after passing through Cuba.

Florida is a region close to our hearts, it was the home of Malteser International Americas Headquarters for many years and to this day we maintain a presence there with staff in the region.

“While the full extent of the impact of Hurricane Ian is unknown, as the people of Florida emerge from their homes and the first responders arrive on the scene – the horrific devastation is clear, as is the need to respond and act quickly to provide frontline support. The flooding has been especially bad, with the Governor of Florida referring to it as a ‘once in 500-year flooding event’. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and people of Florida.” Ravi Tripptrap, Executive Director Malteser International Americas

As we try to move forward after the chaos and devastation, we continue to constantly monitor the situation and evaluate how we can best help the region and those impacted by this disaster.

Malteser International Americas has been operating in the Americas since 2008 and has supported relief efforts after deadly hurricanes in the region, including after Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. After Hurricane Katrina Malteser International Americas provided over $750,000 in funding, the provision of safe drinking water for thousands, and in the aftermath supported the rebuilding of homes, infrastructure, and schools.

Malteser International Americas is an affiliate of Malteser International and is the worldwide relief and development organization of the Sovereign Order of Malta. The organization provides aid to people in need in around 125 projects in 30 countries, regardless of their religion, origin or political convictions. Christian values and the humanitarian principles form the basis of its work. Further information: www.orderofmaltarelief.org  

Attention editors:

Ravi Tripptrap, Executive Director/ ravi.tripptrap@malteser-international.org is available for interviews and sound bites.

Press Contact: : Ilaria Ghelardoni, Communications and Marketing Manager (ilaria.ghelardoni@malteser-international.org) 

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