Donate, then vote for a Congress that believes in climate change.

I have never had a religion and still have never had any difficulty in letting people know that I am concerned for their welfare and safety. People who say they will pray for you should instead say they hope you will be safe and that the hurricane will pass through without too much damage. If god sends hurricanes in the first place then why would anyone pray to the same god to deliver them safely from it. Makes no sense does it?

"We don't need this!" South Carolina residents complain about the latest hurricane.

What they need is to vote for Democrats who agree that climate change (global warming) is real and happening NOW. And act to stop climate change.

Thirty years ago, we knew climate change will create: mega-hurricanes, monster tornadoes, catastrophic flooding, massive wildfires, prolonged drought, increased temperatures, melting glaciers, super-storms, world-wide human migration, animal extinctions and starvation.

"Climate change is a Chinese hoax," Trump stupidly said. Republicans are in the pocket of oil and coal producers.

Vote Republicans out of office! Midterm elections are November 6, 2018.

I’m thinking of you. Stay safe.

Be practical in advice and frank in your comments.
Also clearly and sincerely state your concerns for the individual along with your appreciation of them as individuals. Do this without condescension and you should come up with a possibly helpful and genuine statement of human care.

Doing stuff is hard work. Is there a way I can just sit on my arse and gain virtue by appearing sympathetic?

Doing something with your two hands is better than any prayer or condolences. Lend a helping hand, or if you can't do that because of distance, send money.

"How can I help?"

Ask if there is anything practical you can do. A list of emergency numbers to call just in case, money you can send, phone calls checking in through out the ordeal. I find practical suggestions to show both concern and a willingness to actually do something other than the hollowness of prayers.

As so many others have commented, do something tangible -- donate through a legitimate charity. Prayers don't substitute for actually doing something.

You could Google “Hurricane Michael relief” or something like that. As another member already commented, organizations like the Red Cross will be there on the ground, and there should be opportunities to donate monetarily, or in-kind with canned food, blankets, pet food for people’s animals ... I’ve heard that for the larger organizations that already have the infrastructure and experience, stuff is less valuable than the money to pay for stuff. Good on you for caring!

You just stumbled into a great feature of being an atheist. By not having the god crutch, you now can offer genuine, sincere, and personal words to your friends. They may not care why, but they'll know they have a real, non-imaginary person who really cares about them. That's pretty damn cool.

unless you can physically offer some help after take cares about the best you can do the rest.....

I understand. I always say i’m sending positive thoughts their way but also that I’m here to reach out to. I took my brother and his family in during Katrina until they could return home. That may not always been possible for everyone and I get that

I've had friends and family members call to check on me and offer a place to stay for myself, family and pets if we needed to evacuate.

Donate to Habitat for Humanity or Salvation Army that help rebuild, for one....there are good charities that DO stuff!

I usually say "I'll be thinking about you." If the person chooses to interpret that as prayer, fine. But to me it means I will contact them later to see how they are holding up, if I can help, etc.
Unless it's my dad. Because apparently, WHEN I CALL THE CRANKY OLD COOT TO SEE IF HE'S HAVING ANY DAMAGE FROM THE HURRICANE HE THINKS ITS COOL TO SNAP AT ME. And how hard is it to put the fucking storm shutters on the house, cuz they're not helping in the garage??

Not bitter. Just reporting the news.

In the Words of Rickey Gervais “I feel so guilty. Everyone is sending their prayers but I only sent MONEY”

I recommend contributing to a secular charity. I've been impressed with the work done by the Foundation Beyond Belief, but there are others.
[foundationbeyondbelief.org]

I tell them like it is....."You need to evacuate" and "I hope you were smart enough to buy insurance" and "Good Luck with that" and "Mother Nature is trying to rid the earth of a parasitic species...."

Unless you have money, there really isnt anything you can do. They are going to go through some really tough times.

I live in Panama City. I evacuated, but will be heading back tomorrow. Already getting the "thoughts and prayers" comments. I just say thanks, as they all mean well.

You can donate. Bottles of water, food, clothing, necessities. I'm sure there will be groups in your community that will collect and send to areas of need. If this doesn't suit you, donate money to the Red Cross. It will surely help those affected by hurricane Michael. There will be a lot of displaced and rescued pets. The pet shelters will need food...lots of food.

You show up with food, water, a chainsaw, gasoline,...

A hug is very comforting.