OPPD assisting as crisis grows in Hurricane stricken southeast

 PERRY, Fla.  – A crisis is unfolding in Asheville as officials pledged to get more water, food and other supplies to flood-stricken areas that still lack power and cellular service days after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast.
The death toll from the storm topped 90 people across several states. Authorities have struggled to get supplies to isolated areas. Massive rains brought by Helene left many people stranded or homeless around the region. Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. Forecasters say a new tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic Ocean could become a hurricane by midweek.

The Omaha Public Power District is answering a call for additional power restoration support in the southeast.

OPPD joins several other utilities from Nebraska as part of the Midwest Mutual Aid Group that headed south in advance of the storm to pre-stage for restoration work. OPPD made a team available to deploy, and Appalachian Power in Charleston, West Virginia took us up on that offer.

 

 

 A 16-person mutual aid team left from Nebraska City. The team consists of four three-person line crews, a member of our safety team, a supervisor and two transportation mechanics. They expect to reach Charleston by Sunday afternoon.

 “Our employees were eager to help. Some of the Line Techs called me earlier in the week, asking when and where we were going,” said Eli Schiessler, OPPD Transmission & Distribution center manager.

 “The work is extremely tough, but restoring power and helping out communities in need is why many of them chose this line of work.”

 This is the third time this year OPPD has deployed to provide mutual aid to fellow utilities in need. We supported Evergy in the Kansas City area in January, as well as MidAmerican Energy in northern Iowa and ComEd in southern Illinois after powerful winds caused extensive damage to trees and power lines in mid-July. All three utilities returned the favor, coming to OPPD’s aid when more than 220,000 customers lost power in the historic July 31^st storm.

 “It’s extremely gratifying to pay it forward,” said Brian Kramer, senior director of Utilities Operation & Maintenance. “That’s what mutual aid is all about.”

Red Cross launches relief response to hurricane

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 — The American Red Cross has launched a massive relief response following Hurricane Helene, which caused destruction across the Southeast.

 

The Red Cross has deployed more than 45 emergency response vehicles to get help to where needed and about two dozen more are enroute. Where it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders are aboard these vehicles, traveling throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies. 

 

Almost 1,400 disaster workers are helping with more on their way. Included among the volunteers supporting the response are six from Nebraska.

 

Right now, the Red Cross is working with partners to meet the urgent needs of those affected by providing safe shelter, food, emotional support and health services.

 

How to Help

Thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene need help now. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donations. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

 

Ninety percent of the Red Cross workforce is volunteers. Now more than ever, volunteers are needed. Those interested in making a difference at home or across the country can visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn how to become a volunteer. There are opportunities to help locally or deploy to large disasters in other parts of the country. A variety of positions are available, and the Red Cross will help people find the right opportunity, based on the individual’s skills, interests and availability.

 

This storm has also canceled blood drives throughout the affected region, causing more than 1,500 blood donations to go uncollected. Those outside the affected areas are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or using the Blood Donor App to help restock the shelves. Through our national inventory, the Red Cross has the ability to move blood wherever and whenever it is needed most.

 

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.