Disaster loss expenses
My in-laws live in Florida and were impacted by Hurricane Ian. They are in their late 90s and were physically and mentally incapable of preparing for the storm. They didn't have proper food supplies stockpiled, nor any equipment to survive such as a generator or extra batteries. My spouse arrived there two days before the storm hit but didn't find much in the stores by that point.
My loss, in the form of non-reimbursed expenses, involved flying east, renting a van, two nights in hotels (down to FL and back), shopping for a generator and all the food and supplies they would need to get by until things returned to normalcy.
Can I deduct the food, gas, hotels, van rental and airfare, etc., needed to accomplish this rescue mission? I have spent about $3500, not including the generator.
