Hurricane Isaias Help: United Way, Free Uber Rides, Comcast Wi-Fi and a Chamber Guide for Businesses

MOBILE, Ala. — Hurricane Isaias help and resources are lining up across south Alabama, with United Way of Southwest Alabama activating its disaster response plan, the Mobile Chamber publishing a storm guide for businesses and several national companies stepping in with free rides, free Wi-Fi and emergency supply support for residents of Mobile and Baldwin counties.

The announcements came Friday, Oct. 9, as Isaias closed in on the Central Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane. Together, they give residents a set of places to turn to for food, shelter, housing and utility help, as well as ways for neighbors who were spared the worst of the storm to volunteer or donate as recovery gets underway.

Here is a rundown of what each organization is offering, how to reach it and what residents should know.

United Way of Southwest Alabama activates its disaster plan

United Way of Southwest Alabama has put its disaster response plan into effect to support communities in the four counties it serves: Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile and Washington.

The organization has set up three main tools to coordinate relief and recovery as needs become clear after the storm: a Hurricane Isaias relief fund that is accepting donations, a volunteer registration system called Volunteer Connect, and its 2-1-1 information and referral line, which connects residents with community resources.

United Way said it is working with government agencies, nonprofit partners and community organizations across its service area to connect residents with reliable information and assistance. It urged residents to put their safety first, finish storm preparations and follow the guidance of local emergency management officials.

“Preparing for a hurricane takes all of us, and so does recovery,” said Justine Bixler, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Alabama. “We have activated the resources and connections that will allow us to respond as our communities need us. People can register to volunteer or make a donation today, and anyone who needs help finding community resources can call 2-1-1. Working together with our partners, we will be ready to support our neighbors as recovery begins.”

Calling 2-1-1 for help

The quickest way for a family in need to find help is to dial 2-1-1. United Way’s 2-1-1 service connects individuals and families with community resources including food, shelter, housing assistance, utility assistance and other essential services. Residents can also reach the service at 888-421-1266.

As needs emerge in the days after Isaias, United Way said 2-1-1 will help residents identify what resources are available and connect them with the organizations providing assistance. The 2-1-1 number is a free, confidential information and referral line used by United Way organizations and partner agencies across the country; callers speak with a person who can point them to the right local program rather than having to search agency by agency.

United Way has also posted its 2026 Disaster Resource Guide online to help residents find assistance and prepare for emergencies.

Volunteer Connect: sign up now, serve when it is safe

United Way is inviting individuals, businesses, civic organizations and community groups to register through Volunteer Connect to support Hurricane Isaias relief and recovery.

Volunteer Connect serves as a central clearinghouse that matches people who want to help with nonprofits and community partners that need volunteers. By collecting registrations ahead of time, United Way said it can coordinate community support and send volunteers where they are needed once those needs are known and conditions allow for safe recovery work.

The organization stressed that volunteers should put their own safety first and wait for organized opportunities rather than heading into affected areas on their own. Emergency managers routinely give the same advice after hurricanes: self-directed volunteers can clog damaged roads, get in the way of utility and debris crews and put themselves at risk from downed power lines, floodwater and unstable trees.

Community Crisis Fund accepting Isaias donations

United Way has activated its Community Crisis Fund to accept donations designated exclusively for Hurricane Isaias relief and recovery.

Every gift made through the Hurricane Isaias fund will support relief and recovery efforts for individuals, families and communities in southwest Alabama that were affected by the storm, the organization said. The money will help United Way and its partners address needs created by the hurricane as the full extent of the damage becomes clearer. United Way began accepting donations before the storm so that resources would be ready when recovery begins.

Donors anywhere who want to help after a disaster are generally advised to give to established organizations they know and to be wary of unsolicited calls, texts or social media appeals, which can spike after major storms.

Partner agencies and key phone numbers

United Way’s network of partner agencies and community organizations plays a central role in how southwest Alabama responds to emergencies. Partners named by United Way include the American Red Cross South Alabama Chapter, Feeding the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, Goodwill Gulf Coast and Lifelines Counseling Services, among others. United Way said it is coordinating with government agencies and those partners to identify available resources and determine where more support may be needed after Isaias.

United Way pointed residents to these resources:

• United Way 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266 for information about community services, including food, housing and other assistance.
• Mobile County Emergency Management Agency: 251-460-8000, for official emergency management information, preparedness guidance and local storm updates.
• American Red Cross South Alabama Chapter: 251-544-6100, for disaster preparedness information, emergency shelter resources and assistance information.
• Alabama Power: 1-800-888-2726, to report power outages and get restoration information.
• Alabama Department of Mental Health crisis services: The department provides information about crisis centers across the state that offer support to people experiencing a mental health crisis.

United Way noted that hurricanes and other disasters can bring stress, anxiety and emotional strain before, during and after the storm. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. People experiencing a mental health crisis can also call or text 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which operates around the clock.

Apps worth having on your phone

United Way encouraged residents to download free, trusted emergency information apps:

• Mobile County EMA app: local emergency notifications, shelter information, weather alerts and disaster preparedness resources.
• Alabama Power app: lets customers report outages, follow restoration information and manage their accounts.
• American Red Cross Emergency app: severe weather alerts, preparedness guidance and information to help families respond to disasters.

Document your belongings for insurance

While personal safety always comes first, United Way noted that documenting personal property can help families navigate the insurance claims process if their homes or belongings are damaged. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the organization of state insurance regulators, offers a free Home Inventory app that lets homeowners and renters record their possessions with photographs, descriptions and estimated values.

Residents whose homes were damaged should photograph and video the damage before making repairs, keep receipts for emergency repairs and temporary lodging, and contact their insurance company as soon as possible to start a claim.

Ivey highlights help from Uber, Comcast and Home Depot

Gov. Kay Ivey shared information Friday afternoon on X about several private companies that reached out to help Alabamians as Isaias approached, including Uber, Comcast and The Home Depot.

Free Uber rides to evacuation shelters

Uber is offering free round-trip rides, worth up to $40 each way, to and from state-approved evacuation shelters in Mobile and Baldwin counties. To use the offer:

• Open the Uber app.
• Tap “Account” at the bottom right.
• Tap “Wallet.”
• Scroll down to “+ Add Promo Code.”
• Enter the code ISAIAS26.
• Request a ride to any open, state-approved Alabama evacuation center in Mobile or Baldwin County.

Residents who do not have a smartphone or the Uber app and need a ride to a shelter can call 2-1-1 to ask about other transportation options.

Comcast opens Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots

Comcast has opened its Wi-Fi hotspot network at no cost to anyone who needs it in Baldwin, Houston, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties. That includes people who are not Xfinity customers. To find a hotspot:

• Visit the Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspot Map online.
• Enter your ZIP code.
• Zoom in on the interactive map.
• Select a hotspot location for details.

Free public Wi-Fi can be a lifeline when home internet service is down, letting residents check on family, file insurance claims and follow official updates. As with any public network, users should avoid entering sensitive information on unsecured connections when possible.

Home Depot activates its disaster command center

The Home Depot activated its Disaster Response Command Center on Thursday morning, Oct. 8. The company said the center will help monitor supplies for local stores so they can provide essential goods to affected communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.

At the time of the governor’s post, Isaias was expected to make landfall Friday night along the Florida Panhandle, and the National Weather Service noted that conditions in south Alabama were deteriorating as the Category 3 storm drew closer.

Mobile Chamber publishes a storm guide for businesses

The Mobile Chamber has released a Hurricane Isaias Business & Community Resource Guide to help local businesses prepare for severe weather, find reliable information and connect with support before, during and after the storm.

The guide pulls key phone numbers, websites, apps and preparedness resources into one place, with a dedicated section for business owners dealing with possible disruptions to their operations. Business resources in the guide include:

• Mobile County EMA and Ready.gov: workplace preparedness information, emergency planning tools and guidance for hurricanes, flooding and power outages.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: the Readiness for Resiliency program, the Disaster Help Desk for Business, the Resilience in a Box toolkit, and disaster preparedness and recovery guides.
• U.S. Small Business Administration: information about disaster assistance for businesses.

The chamber encouraged business owners to review the resources now, especially programs that require action before a disaster occurs. The guide also includes community resources to help employers, employees and their families stay informed and prepare at home. The chamber said making these resources accessible is part of its work to support the business community through storm preparation and recovery.

For business owners, the SBA’s disaster assistance becomes available after a federal or SBA disaster declaration covering the affected area. The agency’s disaster loans can help businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters repair or replace damaged property, and its economic injury loans can help eligible small businesses cover working capital while operations recover. Business owners should keep records of losses, closures and repair costs to support any future application.

What residents should do now

With Isaias moving inland and recovery beginning, local and state officials and relief groups have shared consistent advice:

• Stay put until officials say it is safe. Downed trees, power lines and flooded roads remain hazards after the wind dies down.
• Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency help finding food, shelter, housing or utility assistance, and 911 for emergencies.
• Report outages to Alabama Power at 1-800-888-2726 or through its app.
• Register to volunteer through United Way’s Volunteer Connect instead of heading into damaged areas on your own.
• Give through established organizations, such as United Way’s Hurricane Isaias fund or its partner agencies.
• Document damage with photos and video before cleanup, and contact your insurer promptly.
• Look after your mental health and that of family members; the Alabama Department of Mental Health lists crisis centers statewide, and 988 is available at any hour.

United Way said it will continue coordinating with community partners and sharing information as needs and available resources become clearer in the days ahead. Residents can follow Mobile County EMA, the National Weather Service in Mobile and their city and county governments for official updates.