Virginia doctor heads to North Carolina to aid in Helene recovery efforts

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene continue. One of the Commonwealth’s former leading health officials is heading straight to the destruction to help those most impacted by the storm.

Since it touched down on Thursday, Sept. 26, Helene has laid a deadly path throughout the southeast region.

Parts of western North Carolina saw significant damage, according to the Associated Press more than 150 people have been killed across multiple southern states, hundreds are hurt and the number of those still missing in the triple digits.

Randolph Gordon is a doctor with the American Red Cross and is making the journey down to North Carolina to do what doctors like him do best.

“I know it’s going to be hard work,” Gordon said. “I know it’s going to be long hours and probably be in conditions that could be bit dangerous, but also a chance to help people who are really in need.”

Gordon is the former Commissioner of Health for Virginia and was also formerly the Chief Medical Officer for Richmond. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, he is shipping off to the Red Cross headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking his first deployment with the nonprofit during his time of volunteering.

When he arrives, he will be sent to whichever area needs him the most and he will stay there for about two weeks.

“It doesn’t scare me, personally. I have three children and nine grandchildren, so, I’m concerned about how they are going to deal with these sorts of situations in the future,” Gordon said.

Hurricane Helene hit parts of southern Virginia and devastated many areas of the western part of North Carolina during September, almost leveling the town of Asheville.

“So, my job will be to assess people and the people who are sick and to figure out how best to connect them with the care that they need,” Gordon said.

The strong winds and heavy rains from the storm killed the power and cellular service in some areas for some time.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper asked President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster in the more than 20 counties that were left devastated after Helene touched down. Now that the clouds are clearing up and the work to rebuild in the hardest-hit areas has begun, Gordon hopes that his involvement will help usher in a sense of hope for everyone impacted.

“A lot of good things can come out of these disasters, in terms of connectedness, and community, and so looking forward to those. Also, just helping people realize that this is temporary and it’s awful, but with the help of community and family, they’re gonna get through it,” Gordon said.

More than 150,000 households have already registered for assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and President Biden is expected to survey the damage in both North and South Carolina on Wednesday, Oct.2.

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