WISCONSIN — Several Wisconsin groups are assisting with cleanup following Hurricane Helene’s impact, with at least 135 people now dead.
The American Red Cross of Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force — also known as Wisconsin Task Force 1 — and Generac are just three of the local organizations stepping up to help.
Sixteen members of Wisconsin Task Force 1’s swiftwater rescue team left the state on Friday night for North Carolina. They arrived Saturday and have been helping with search and rescue efforts amid flooding in the area. Officials said the team has been navigating difficult terrain to access residents who have been cut off from communication.
The state of North Carolina requested the help of the task force for seven days through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a nationwide mutual aid system. Wisconsin Task Force 1 is made up of first responders from fire departments across the state, including Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, La Crosse, Neenah/Menasha, Oshkosh and Superior.
“The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association is proud to offer our support to the membership of WI-TF1,” said Aaron Lipski, fire chief for the Milwaukee Fire Department and Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association president, in a release. “We honor their commitment to service during this catastrophic event, and we honor the commitment of each fire department who has selflessly released their members. This is an enormous undertaking and demonstrates the necessity and utility of such a uniquely skilled and capable team.”
Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Wisconsin are also chipping in.
More than 30 responders from the Badger State are stationed in several places, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Three emergency response vehicles from Red Cross were also deployed from Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay.
“Days after landfall, millions of people are still reeling from the heartbreak left behind by Hurricane Helene. The Red Cross has launched a massive response along a 500-mile path of destruction to ensure no one faces this challenging time alone,” said Executive Director for American Red Cross’ Northwest Wisconsin chapter Mary Jane Thomsen in a briefing.
Thomsen said the team's main objective is to provide shelter, meals and support for those who need it. She said on Sunday night, more than 2,600 people stayed in 69 shelters supported by Red Cross.
“Thousands of people have been affected by this storm,” Virginia Mewborn, job director for the American Red Cross Hurricane Helene relief operation in Florida, said to staff during a morning stand-up. “And they’re counting on us. Never, never underestimate the power of the Red Cross.”
Generac also sent a Wisconsin response team to South Carolina on Wednesday. That team will help keep generators running, as utility crews work to restore power in the area, according to a release.
For more on how you can help those affected by the disaster, click here.