WASHINGTON (FOX 5/FOX NEWS) - As Hurricane Florence bears down on the Eastern Seaboard, Airbnb announced it's offering free shelter for evacuees and relief workers.

Airbnb announced it has launched its Open Homes Program, which offers "displaced neighbors and relief workers" a safe place to stay through the worst of the storm.

Airbnb hosts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are allowed to offer their homes for evacuees and relief workers to stay, free of charge, through Oct. 1.

Multiple hotel chains announced they're waiving cancelations fees throughout the region as Hurricane Florence prepares to strike. USA Today reports Marriot Hotels and the Intercontinental Hotel Group (whose portfolio includes Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Kimpton) have waived cancelation fees and relaxed pet-stay rules throughout the Southeast.