Twelve U-Haul Companies across four Southeastern states are preemptively offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage to residents who stand to be impacted by Hurricane Matthew.

Upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane today, Matthew is expected to deliver severe flooding and damage as it strikes Florida and travels up the Atlantic Coast. The storm has prompted the evacuation of millions from their homes and created a need for safe, secure and dry self-storage options where people can stow their possessions as Matthew approaches – and in its aftermath.

"The Atlantic Coast is in its direct path and the rain is expected to hit hard and continue into the weekend," U-Haul Company of North Orlando president Tom Burns said. "President Barack Obama has issued a state of emergency as we expect the storm to come spinning up the coast.

"U-Haul is proud to be a support system in times of need. We are part of these communities and it is important for us to help by providing 30 days of free, secure self-storage to our neighbors who are affected by these storms."

U-Haul stores offer needed supplies to help with storm recovery like boxes, tarps, propane and propane tanks. U-Haul urges customers to ensure their tanks are topped off since propane is good to have in the event of long-term power outages.

U-Haul is the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage with more than 21,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to its 30 days of free self-storage assistance, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities during times of disaster as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder.

The U-Haul Companies of Eastern Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, North Orlando, Coastal South Carolina, Southern Atlantic Coast, South Carolina, Western North Carolina, Raleigh and Charlotte have made 112 self-storage facilities across 59 cities available to provide assistance.

Families needing more information about self-storage assistance should contact the participating U-Haul store nearest you. Locations are sorted by state and alphabetized by city.