Hope amid the chaos: Good neighbors rebuild and support each other after hurricanes

Recent natural disasters have affected people across the United States. For some, dangerous storms have significantly impacted their lives and property. The greatest concern is everyone’s safety. Next, it’s assessing cleanups and addressing damage.

The insurance industry plays a critical role in the cleanup and response efforts for people impacted by storms like Hurricanes Helene and Milton. One company making a difference is State Farm^®. Alongside 19,000 agents across the country, they have the State Farm Catastrophe Response Team and fleet, the largest in the insurance industry.

These teams are deployed and staged early for strategic response once the storms pass. Trailers and RVs serve as on-the-spot claims offices, complete with workstations, computers, tents, power generators and satellite access for phone and internet communications.

State Farm teams also offer support, guidance and assistance during critical times when customers need them most, diligently handling claims and providing assistance during the recovery and rebuilding process. Based on covered damages, an advance on claim payments can be provided to customers to meet immediate needs such as temporary housing, transportation and food.

Here are some examples of this support in action:

Asheville, North Carolina

State Farm Agent Rebecca Sandoval was in the middle of the crisis following Hurricane Helene. She immediately set up satellite communication and provided food and shelter for 8 of her displaced neighbors despite losing power and water herself.

She also did what it took to open her State Farm office — getting drinking water, power cables, charging devices, food and any supplies needed to open her doors and offer help, hugs, support and basic necessities to those she serves.

Despite her own personal losses and property damage, she showed up every day to help customers. Her team describes her as a warrior who is helping them find the joy in the moment.

Nearby is Claims Appraiser Jeff Haney, who has been without power and water but is busy volunteering cutting trees off the roads so first responders can get through. He’s distributing water and cooking meals for others to make a difference.

Easley, South Carolina

State Farm claims employee Rodney Johnson found himself wearing two hats — chief of the local volunteer fire department and State Farm appraiser. Recently, he started his day at 4:00 a.m. removing a downed tree and then returned home to take claims calls.

While without power for the week, he used the firehouse generator and worked from his car using the phone charger. “It was important for me to find any way I could to start helping customers as soon as possible. Our goal is to serve customers and help get their lives back on track. That doesn’t happen without us doing our jobs.”

Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina

Claims appraiser Isaac Burgess started working as soon as possible after the storms, using his phone as a hot spot since his power was out.

Appraiser Antwone Mack pulled out the grill and fryer so he could feed his neighbors through the power outage, because he said, “Being boots on the ground calms people down.”

Claims appraiser Adrian Hargett from Georgia put it best: “I see working for State Farm as similar to that of a first responder, because our customers need us to get back on their feet. Even though we may not have all our needs met, the customers still need us to help them,” he said.

Learn more at statefarm.com.