Carolinas brace for Dorian

Hurricane Dorian was approaching the coast of South Carolina Thursday and expected to reach the coast of North Carolina Thursday night into Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to bring 15-20 inches of rain along the South Carolina coast, with the storm surge raising water levels 2 to 8 feet.

Thousands were already without power in South Carolina Thursday morning as the Category 3 storm approached the state.

Meanwhile, American Legion departments and posts are already making efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Department of North Carolina Adjutant Randy Cash said a truckload of supplies was scheduled to be delivered to Rocky Mount from Virginia, and he had been working with district commanders near the coast to ensure National Emergency Fund (NEF) grants could be sought as soon as possible after the storm.

In Florida, Post 254 in North Port has been collecting donations to help the Bahamas, including diapers, towels and food. The post expects to send two trucks of supplies for shipment to the islands, which were devastated by Dorian earlier in the week.

In South Carolina, Post 15 in Sumter was offering free RV parking in the campground at the post for Legion members forced out of the evacuation zones along the coast.

The National Emergency Fund is available for American Legion and Sons of The American Legion members who have been impacted by Hurricane Dorian, as well as Legion posts. The NEF provides up to $3,000 for Legion and SAL members with an active membership who have been displaced due to damages to their primary residence, and up to $10,000 for posts that have been damaged by a natural disaster and whose programs and activities within the community are impacted. To apply for an NEF grant, please visit www.legion.org/emergency.

Donations to NEF can be made online at www.legion.org/donate.