TOLEDO, Ohio — More and more local groups and organizations are preparing to head south to help with recovery efforts following the destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene.
American Red Cross of North Central Ohio executive director, Todd James, said he's preparing to walk into a catastrophe, heading into Greenville, South Carolina to help with cleanup efforts.
"We're coordinating with officials to try and help make sure that food and needed supplies are getting to those isolated areas until the folks there are able to get out and get to a shelter or another location," James said. "But this truly is one of the worst situations that this country has ever faced."
He said there are nearly 1,200 Red Cross responders in the south helping victims affected by Hurricane Helene.
The death toll now tops 200 in the aftermath of the hurricane, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. since Katrina. The storm came ashore in northwestern Florida as a strong Category 4, hitting several other states.
"Unfortunately the loss of life from this event has already exceeded the loss of life from all other disasters that have occurred in the country this year so far," James said.
Victims now dealing with the aftermath are in need of medical supplies, shelter, drinking water, food and power.
While James said he's proud of those not as severely affected by the storm helping those greatly impacted, it's going to be a long road back to normal.
"Currently there's still 1.3 million households, that's approximately four million people, that don't have power," James said. "That situation is probably going to last for days if not weeks to come before their power is restored."
He said not everyone has to go down to the affected states if they want to help. Helping can be something many in northwest Ohio can do through donating.
James said those looking to donate can give funds to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, to the blood banks or become a volunteer. Click here for more information on how to give.