LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) — As Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida, Rhode Island Energy crews are heading down to offer support.

Seven bucket trucks with 20 people left Tuesday morning to help Tampa Electric, which has called on crews from the Northeast as they anticipate widespread power outages.

“It’s very rewarding to get people’s power back on. That’s what they need right now. They’re going to they’re looking forward to having us come down and help them out. There’s a lot of work involved. A lot of climbing is going to be involved, a lot of bucket work, a lot of cleanup,” overhead line supervisor Brian Madden explained. “Looking forward to the trip and, hope everybody comes home safely.”

This comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene , which tore through the Gulf Coast of Florida, parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia.

Rhode Island Energy had 18 people on the ground in Virginia four days ago. They were able to assist with pole replacements, running new wires, clearing trees, and patrolling lines before power was restored.

“This is where our team members really shine. Mutual assistance is the backbone of the utility industry. We made the decision and these team members were happy to answer the call as they do every day for our customers,” Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett said.

Cornett told 12 News they are sending down 13 linemen and at least one digger, as well as supervisors, field engineers and a mechanic.

Seven of the trucks are expected to arrive in Tampa by Wednesday morning.

The Red Cross is also expected to send about a dozen people from the Rhode Island chapter down to Florida to help with the eventual recovery.

Community volunteer leader Peter Prowe just returned from Florida after Helene and he’ll soon be heading right back.

“I’m taking some rest before I redeploy back down south somewhere, I’m not quite sure when and where, but I will be ready in a day or two,” he said.

The Red Cross is now looking for volunteers to help out here at home or down in Florida.

“With our workforce to be supplemented now, for the next Hurricane Milton, is absolutely needed because even our own folks after two weeks get tired, so we kind of rotate our crews two to three weeks at a time,” Prowe added.

Anyone who’s interested in volunteering with the Red Cross can learn more online , and monetary donations are also being accepted to help fund those efforts.

The Red Cross is also seeking blood donors to assist those impacted by the devastating storms. Since making landfall, the Red Cross estimates that Hurricane Helene has forced the cancellation of more than 100 blood drives.

Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick of the Rhode Island Blood Center told 12 News that everyone’s focus down south is not on donating, which is why it’s important for the rest of the country to roll up their sleeves and show their support.

The Red Cross is offering an incentive to those who donate blood, platelets or plasma throughout the month of October. Anyone who schedules an appointment through the Red Cross before Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.

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