Oklahomans stepping in to help after Hurricane Helene
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Standard is in full effect, after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeast part of the U.S.
“Catastrophic,” said Battalion Chief Derak Stewart with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. “I mean, it's amazing the damage that I've seen on some videos.”
The massive storm is responsible for more than 100 deaths and leaving millions without power.
"It has hit not just Florida, but Georgia is feeling it, Tennessee is feeling it, North Carolina,” said Loida Haffener Salmond, Executive Director at American Red Cross Central and Southwest Oklahoma.
Perhaps unsurprisingly though, Oklahomans are lending a helping hand.
"We rely on other companies when we have devastating tornadoes in the state of Oklahoma. They come to help us and we certainly like to return the favor,” said Carson Cunningham, an OG&E spokesman.
OG&E crews are working 16 hour shifts restoring power in Atlanta.
“They’ve had to really be careful and stay safe to navigate high waters,” said Cunningham.
Oklahoma Task Force 1, made up of 32 crew members from both OKC and Tulsa Metro Areas, were also met with severe flooding on their journey out east.
In Tennessee, the OKC crew helped save a handful of folks from the treacherous waters.
"Some of the most dangerous rescues and or work that we've ever done,” said Stewart.
They’re now in North Carolina.
"Now they're into a structural collapse kind of mode or a secondary search and damage assessment where they're going to go in and make sure since there are still reports of people, you know, unaccounted for,” said Stewart.
The Oklahoma Red Cross is also chipping in, feeding and sheltering those impacted by the storm.
"There's nothing better than to see Oklahomans come together and really set that standard of what it's what a community should look like coming together,” said Haffener Salmond.
The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers, money and blood donations to help with relief efforts. For more information, click here.