Millions of residents in the southeastern U.S. were ordered to evacuate as a dangerous hurricane approached, but San Francisco-based startup Airbnb helped ease concerns for those whose homes may have been destroyed in the monster storm.
Hurricane Matthew barreled its way up Florida’s east coast Friday before turning to the Georgia and South Carolina coasts on Saturday. Although the storm has weakened, it was still expected to do considerable flood damage and leave potentially millions without power.
On Thursday, as the powerful storm threatened miles of coastline, Airbnb activated its Disaster Response Program, which allows volunteers to “open their doors to those in need” or for participants to “find emergency accommodations,” it said on its website.
More than 3,000 listings worldwide are currently activated in the relief program. Accommodations range from an entire villa in Davenport, Florida to a “comfy couch” in Orlando.
Airbnb took to Twitter Thursday to encourage hosts in “safe, inland areas with spare rooms” to list their homes for those affected by the storm.
We encourage hosts in safe, inland areas with spare rooms to list your homes and help those affected. https://t.co/4s4slTv5Dl
— Airbnb Help (@AirbnbHelp) October 7, 2016
#HurricaneMatthew evacuees in FL, GA and SC can find FREE emergency shelter through our Disaster Response Tool: https://t.co/4s4slTv5Dl
— Airbnb Help (@AirbnbHelp) October 7, 2016
“This is the first major hurricane threat this areas has seen in years, and we are hopeful that Airbnb can help play a small part in making the evacuation process easier for residents and their families,” Airbnb spokesman Nick Shapiro told ABC News. “Our thoughts continue to be with everyone impacted by the storm, and we thank the dedicated government and emergency response personnel who are keeping our communities safe.”
The Disaster Response Program was created n 2012 after Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area. More than 1,000 hosts in New York listed their homes free of charge.
The program is a great example of how a multi-billion dollar company can use its influence and resources to help the very communities that helped build it.