Hurricane Matthew has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it departs east from the coast of North Carolina, leaving portions of coastal areas of that state with the worst flooding in recorded history — even worse than what was experienced in 1999 as a result of Hurricane Floyd.

A historic storm surge of 12.5 feet at Tybee Island in Georgia exceeded the previous record of 12.2 feet in 1979 as a result of Hurricane David — storm surges of greater than 12 feet surpassed records in many areas along the coast — and significantly extensive beach erosion occurred along the coast of Florida.

The former hurricane left in its wake at least 902 people dead — most of them in Haiti, where the death toll is expected to further increase; and 19 people in the United States alone — and tens of thousands of buildings and structures reduced to mere rubble. Millions of people had lost electric power but are slowing getting it restored.

Greater than 5,200 flights have been canceled; but commercial airline operations are slowly returning back to normal.

There was technically a brief landfall of the hurricane southeast of McClellanville, South Carolina before the eye went back over the water in its continued track northeast of paralleling the coast, taunting the coastlines of five states. Flooding of up to 17 inches — the most in greater than 125 years — has been recorded along the coastlines of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The good news is that the storm is no longer predicted to loop around and head back towards the Bahamas and Florida — especially now that Hurricane Nicole has been downgraded to a tropical storm due to weakening strength. Rather, the former Hurricane Matthew is predicted to continue tracking across the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

How You Can Help Victims of Hurricane Matthew With American Airlines

If you had wished you could do something to help, here is your opportunity by giving a donation: American Airlines has partnered with the American Red Cross to help support families and individuals affected by Hurricane Matthew; and through Monday, October 31, 2016, you can receive up to 500 bonus AAdvantage miles as thanks for your contribution.

You will be awarded bonus AAdvantage miles based on the size of your donation as follows:

• Donate $50.00 – $100.00 – Earn 250 bonus AAdvantage miles
• Donate $100.00 or greater – Earn 500 bonus AAdvantage miles

American Airlines is a proud Annual Disaster Giving Partner with the American Red Cross; and it supports disaster relief efforts from man made and natural disasters — large and small — through this partnership to help ensure those impacted have their most immediate needs met and assist in their recovery. The potential impact Hurricane Matthew — which may be one of the most powerful tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean in almost a decade — may cause is an example of why American Airlines is encouraging you to join the airline in this effort and consider donating a contribution to support disaster relief so that volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross can respond to those in need during disaster responses. Through the support of disaster relief efforts of the American Red Cross, American Airlines and its employees help provide support to families affected by the unexpected.

If you would rather donate miles — or if you have no cash to spare — by donating miles to the American Airlines Miles of Hope program, your generosity can touch thousands of lives and give hope to families — even in the face of disaster.

Terms and Conditions

You must be a member of the AAdvantage frequent flier loyalty program before donating to qualify for the bonus AAdvantage miles; and the name on the donation receipt must match the name on the AAdvantage account. Donors must provide all required personal information in order to receive mileage credit.

Once contributed, donations cannot be refunded; and this offer cannot be combined with other offers.

The bonus of up to 500 AAdvantage miles relating to this offer can be earned a maximum of one time per person per AAdvantage account.

Please allow up to 45 days after completed qualifying activity — in this case, a contribution to the American Red Cross — for bonus AAdvantage miles to post to your account. Bonus award miles, award miles and any other miles earned through non-flight activity do not count towards qualification for elite level status unless expressly stated otherwise.

This offer is valid on contributions donated through here.

Other terms and conditions apply.

Summary

The good news is that the departure of the former hurricane means that it can cause no more trouble; but some time will elapse before airports and other modes of transportation closest to the shoreline of the southeastern United States return to normal operations. Power still needs to be restored in many areas; floodwaters need to recede; and thousands of evacuees need to return to their homes.

American Airlines gives more than one million dollars to support the American Red Cross each year. Through combined donations of cash, in-kind support and volunteer efforts, the airline has become part of a select group of leading corporations which provide the highest level of support to the American Red Cross preparedness and relief efforts. Your donation will provide critical aid to those in need; and you will receive some bonus AAdvantage miles in return.

If you would rather have bonus United Airlines MileagePlus miles instead of American Airlines AAdvantage miles for donating to the same cause, click here for information and details.

Source: American Airlines.