Lending a hand: Oklahomans take off to Florida to provide hurricane assistance

Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall in Florida on Oct. 9.

After the devastation of Hurricane Helene, many communities in Florida and the Carolinas are still struggling to pick up the pieces.

Oklahomans took the Oklahoma Standard out-of-state to show support to Florida.

Mike Dunham is the Mayes County Emergency Management Director. He said helping others is what's most important.

“In Oklahoma, we always make do. Always do what's need to be done, and get her done.”

Many organizations from Craig, Mayes and Comanche counties banded together to make the trip to Live Oak, Florida- including swift water and urban rescue teams.

The responders are currently at a base camp where they are waiting to be called upon after the hurricane comes through.

"They're housing us, feeding us, and basically just taking care of us prior to deploying," said Dunham. "They're trying to come up with admission assignments."

Dunham said responders may be sent to places like Orlando or Tampa to respond to damage.

The trip is planned for 10 days but may be extended depending on the damage brought about by Milton.

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• 'Help the Floridians': OHP, Oklahomans in Florida ready for the call to action

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• Broken Arrow man volunteering ahead of Hurricane Milton

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