As Hurricane Ian tore through southeastern states in late September, local radio and television broadcasters provided critical and lifesaving information to their communities. After the storm, they continued to aid recovery with fundraisers, donation collections and needed news.

As former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate told Inside Radio, “You’ve got the longer-term recovery and the role that a lot of stations play in sponsoring events, working with charitable organizations, and keeping the focus on the recovery. The national media goes home but the local stations, those people live there, it’s their community.”

This listener called into WFLA in Tampa Bay to express how grateful she is for her “lifeline” during the hurricane.

Find more stories of broadcasters’ service during Hurricane Ian at America’s Stories.