Hurricane Dorian evacuees are headed to Birmingham: 3 things to know

Reading time: 2 minutes

What Dorian looks like from the iSS
Another day, another view for astronaut Christina H. Koch. Photo by Christina H. Koch for NASA / International Space Station

Retiring by the beach is awesome . . . until a giant storm is headed your way. Thankfully, Somerby Senior Living pulled some strings to bring 90 residents and 30 associates to Birmingham as Hurricane Dorian evacuees.

Let’s show them some Southern hospitality. Because seriously, if it was your parent or grandparent, wouldn’t you want people to welcome them?

1—Who’s coming to Birmingham from South Carolina and where are they going?

Somerby Mt. Pleasant residents enjoying the beach in South Carolina
Somerby Mt. Pleasant residents enjoying the beach in calmer weather. Photo from Somerby Mt. Pleasant via Facebook

90 residents and 30 associates who live and work at Somerby Mt. Pleasant left South Carolina this morning at 7AM Eastern Time.

If the name Somerby rings a bell, it’s likely because you may have a grandparent, parent or friend who lives at Somerby out in Greystone, or you may have heard of Somerby St. Vincent’s 119.

The South Carolina residents will be staying at a local hotel.

2—Why are Hurricane Dorian evacuees coming to Birmingham?

Birmingham is a common destination for hurricane Dorian evacuees because it's inland
Birmingham is nice and inland. Map from ian.macky.net

In case you haven’t been paying much attention to the news lately, coastal communities from Florida to the Carolinas are under evacuation orders. Because hurricanes can be deadly, and this one’s making its way up the Atlantic coast.

3—What can Birmingham residents do to help Hurricane Dorian evacuees?

Donations are welcome for Hurricane Dorian evacuees at St. Vincent's Somerby 119.
From Somerby St. Vincent’s 119.

So glad you asked! Feel free to drop off any or all of the following supplies at the concierge desk at Somerby St. Vincent’s 119:

  • Bottled water
  • Juice
  • Soft drinks
  • Nutritional drinks
  • Snacks (chips, candy, healthy options)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • First aid kits
  • Garbage bags
  • Paper towels
  • Disinfectant spray
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Disposable gloves
  • Adult wipes
  • Adult briefs
  • Craft items, jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles

If you know other evacuees coming from the East Coast, feel free to share this info on Airbnb’s Open Homes Program. And, if you’d like to donate for these Hurricane Dorian evacuees, please drop items off here:

Where: 200 One Nineteen Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35242.
When: 9AM-5PM
Phone: (205) 745-4600

Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

Articles: 845