Alabama Power, others on the ground after Hurricane Helene

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — After Hurricane Helene brought devastation to states like Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, some cities need all the help they can get.

Organizations like Alabama Power and the American Red Cross are offering just that.

“For days, you have cities like Asheville, North Carolina, where it’s only accessible by air,” said David Rauch of the American Red Cross. “There is no food. There is no water. There is no cell service. It really is just a total catastrophe.”

That catastrophe has caused volunteers from Alabama and neighboring states to step up. With boots on the ground, the American Red Cross has provided shelters for those who have nothing to return home to.

“Right now, focusing on making sure they just have a roof over their head, warm meals to eat, access to clean clothes,” Rauch said. “Showers and different facilities they may need. Right now, we’re just focused on the immediate.”

Also focused on the immediate is Alabama Power. Its crews are helping restore power to families in 11 cities across Georgia.

“Of those teams, more than 950 personnel are Alabama Power employees,” said Joey Blackwell with Alabama Power. “And then there’s an additional — there’s more than give hundred contractors in those teams as well.”

Blackwell said these teams consist of line crew personnel, engineers and others.

“We are pleased to support our neighbors in Georgia as work continues to restore power to customers as safely and quickly as possible during this difficult recovery period,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell said Hurricane Helene left unprecedented damage. He explained crews from Alabama have been working in Georgia since first leaving Saturday morning.

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