The Hidden Costs of Evacuation and Why Hygiene Matters in Times of Crisis

As Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton continue to devastate communities across the southeast of the United States, families are dealing with not only the emotional toll of leaving their homes but also the financial burden that comes with evacuation. Currently there are over 32,000 families seeking refuge in evacuation shelters and there are many more continuing to seek shelter. According to a study by Penney Hoarder Magazine, hurricane evacuees can spend between $1,200 and $5,000 to ride out the storm, with the majority of that going towards fuel, temporary lodging, and food. For those already living with limited income or paycheck to paycheck, these unexpected expenses are insurmountable. For those who don’t make it to a shelter, it’s often due to lack of information about shelters, where the shelters are, whether they still have room or if they will be turned away and it be unclear if they can bring pets. Unfortunately, in the rush to escape, many families don’t even have the time or space to think about packing basic hygiene toiletries.

Once families reach a place of safety, they are faced with a new set of challenges. After days on the road or in temporary shelters, the need to shower, brush their teeth, and simply feel clean becomes overwhelming. But for many, these basic hygiene products are simply out of reach due to the expenses they’ve already incurred. As Wakulla County resident Timothy Camper shares,

“A thousand dollars for three nights is about average for what we have to pay… So, you’re looking at over $1,000 just for a couple nights today.”

For families like Timothy’s, there’s no extra room in the budget for hygiene supplies, especially when basic survival and safety are the priority.

In moments of crisis, families often prioritize grabbing irreplaceable items like photos, important paperwork, and their children’s belongings, leaving little room for hygiene essentials. As one evacuee puts it,

“We grabbed the things we couldn’t replace… Mostly, the lives of our animals and our kids were what we mainly wanted to get out of the way.”

Yet, the long-term impact of not having access to proper hygiene products can compound the already difficult situation, making it harder to stay healthy, grounded, and prepared for what’s to come.

That’s why Simply the Basics is stepping in with our relief fund, ensuring that critical supplies like soap, Diapers, toothbrushes, and other hygiene requested products reach families on the ground who have been impacted by these devastating hurricanes.

We are calling on you, our supporters, to help us distribute supplies to our partners on the ground, who are working tirelessly to assist evacuees. Please consider donating to our relief fund today. Your support will directly help those in desperate need of hygiene products as they rebuild their lives in the wake of disaster.