Collection Care Resources for Hurricane Milton Response

As we continue to assess the full impact of Hurricane Helene's path across a broad swath of the country and continuing to aid those impacted, we must also broaden our focus to assist those affected by Hurricane Milton. We know many are only now regaining access to spaces they care about and for and taking stock of the damage.

Response and recovery work is emotionally and physically challenging and we want to acknowledge the toll these emergencies take on us all, but most especially on those directly impacted and providing aid. We ask that you again reach out to your networks to help share valuable resources and help identify needs.

Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.

Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.  

We know internet/cell access and power are limited in many places, but we also wanted to share the Heritage Emergency National Task Force's Save Your Family Treasures:https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures. These fact sheets, "After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures" and "Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms," are downloadable and available in multiple languages. NHR also has Tip Sheets available to download that cover certain topics, such as working with emergency recovery vendors and health and safety considerations after floods: https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/emergencies/national-heritage-responders/tip-sheets  

If you have colleagues in the impacted areas, when appropriate, please encourage them to fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:

• Cultural Institutions  

• Arts Organizations  

• Individual Artists and Performing Groups

First responders are still in need, and there are many excellent mutual aid and local groups worthy of support. If you want to support NHR, you can give in support of our emergency programs here. As other opportunities to support recovery arise, we'll share ways you can help. If you'd like to share any information or resources, please feel free to respond into this thread. 

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Katelin Lee 
(she/her)
Outreach Manager
Washington DC