Volunteers from Illinois head to Southeast to assist in storm relief efforts

CHICAGO – While Chicagoland starts to feel the remnants of what is now considered Tropical Storm Helene, many volunteers from the area are heading to the Southeast that were hit hard.

Officials told WGN News 30 ComEd transmission line workers and support personnel left from Channahon to help Georgia Power with restoration.

ComEd crews are heading to Macon, Georgia, to help as Helene has left more than one million people without power. They are also sending about 100 distribution crews to Columbia, South Carolina, Saturday morning to help with relief efforts.

“[The crews] will work on the tall transmission lines that you’ll see running along the highway, for example…these are the lines that bring power from a power plant to distribution systems that power homes and businesses,” ComEd Spokesperson John Schoen said.

According to Schoen, the crews assisting are all volunteering their time and are prepared to stay for at least two weeks with the possibility of extended deployments.

“It depends on the extent of the damage and what we need to do. We’ll stay as long as we’re needed,” Schoen said.

While Helene has weakened, it brought life-threatening storms, heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds.

Twenty Red Cross volunteers from the Illinois region are also in the middle of all the devastation, helping bring food to affected people and helping at shelters in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

“We got volunteers. This is their first time deploying, and others this is their eighth time, their 12th time, and they don’t hesitate. They’re leaving their warm, comfortable home to be out there,” Red Cross Spokesperson Connie Esparza said.

Meanwhile in Chicago, the remnants of Helene are being felt.

The National Weather Service said a Beach Hazards Statement is in effect until Monday morning for high waves and dangerous currents, affecting Lake, Northern Cook and Central Cook Counties, as well as Lake County, Indiana. Red flags are also up at beaches, alerting beachgoers that swimming is prohibited.

A Wind Advisory is also in effect until midnight for Kankakee County.

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