LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentuckians who were already assisting after Hurricane Helene—are now being reassigned to Florida.
Hurricane Milton is poised to further stretch resources.
Ohio Task Force 1 is approaching its longest deployment ever.
“So, we get tired, but it's a temporary thing. It's as soon as we need to be going to work tired doesn't matter anymore,” said Melissa Morgan, K-9 coordinator, Ohio Task Force 1.
The team began their mission on September 25, 2024, in Florida. Then five days later they were helping out in Boone, North Carolina. On Monday October 7, 2024, they are on their way back to Florida.
“We're sad to leave North Carolina because we know there's still people that need help, but there are a lot of resources here. So, we need to go down and make sure that Florida gets kind of help they need as well,” Morgan said.
The team of 82 will be ready to assist in all kinds of emergencies the storm may bring.
“We're glad to be able to service and we definitely want to be there and get our boots on the ground, so that we can help immediately so that we can minimize the suffering that the communities have to go through,” she said.
Meanwhile, people are still recovering from Helene. Kentucky Electric Cooperatives deployed about 160 people from 12 co-ops across the state to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia to help restore power in the region
“What happens if the land that you were working, where the infrastructure was before no longer exists? So, you're talking about re-engineering an electric system now on some of these areas. That's why it's such a big task,” said Joe Arnold, vice president of strategic communications, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives
A task that is getting worked on from co-ops from more than 20 states, but with another hurricane on the way, co-ops from Florida that were helping out after Helene, are going home in preparation for Milton.
“They're being called back because they know that Milton impact is going to be great, from what we can see so far. That's going to put a real strain on the resources currently in the area that was decimated by Helene,” Arnold said.
Arnold said with fewer people helping out it might take longer to get power back on in Western North Carolina.
The federal emergency management agency, also known as FEMA, said the agency can provide aid for both hurricanes.
“For Helene and for Milton, we have the resources we need. We're executing against that, we're bringing in all the partners and resources that are required and so that's not a concern,” said Keith Turi, acting associated administrator for response and recovery for FEMA.
Helene was the deadliest storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005 and Milton is the second category five hurricane this season.