‘It’s devastating:’ Recovery efforts continue in VA following Hurricane Helene

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Down trees, destroyed roads, communities underwater. These are just some of the chilling impacts Helene had in the Commonwealth.

“Our hearts go out to all those people in those communities that are going to be recovering for quite a while,” said Kristopher Dumschat with the Red Cross of Virginia.

The category four hurricane made landfall in Florida Thursday, leaving neighborhoods in utter disarray.

“It’s devastating. From houses that have been flooded or completely damaged to people who have no place to sleep anymore or don’t have the ability to take a shower or cook in their home,” Dumschat said.

Helene’s remnants eventually making its way to Virginia, where the southwest region got hit the hardest.

“This is a very rural area, so many of these homes may not be part of a neighborhood per say, so that adds some challenges on top of communications issues that we’re experiencing and just navigating some of these communities that have roadways that are washed out due to mudslides,” said Jonathan McNamara with the Red Cross of Virginia.

Governor Glenn Youngkin made stops in those communities. His team announced Sunday that the governor’s request for assistance from FEMA was approved.

Meanwhile, crews with the Red Cross of Virginia are on the ground helping those residents in whatever way they can.

“Supporting emergency shelters, going into areas to speak with families to understand what damage they have experienced and get a sense for what resources from not only the red cross, but those other relief agencies can be put to bare to help them recover,” McNamara said.

Despite the destruction here at home, Virginians are still assisting people in other states.

Dumschat and dozens of other Red Cross volunteers loaded trucks with food, water and clean up kits in Florida.

“I have a line of ERVs [emergency response vehicles] waiting to come in and as they come in they are getting loaded up by our volunteers and then they’re going out to the communities to drop off those much needed supplies,” Dumschat said.

The Red Cross is seeking help from the public. They’re in need of donations, volunteers and blood.

“There’s dozens of blood drives cancelled up and down the east coast. We feel that here in Richmond, but we feel that exponentially greater in those communities that have been impacted. You want to make sure we don’t a second crisis on our hand,” McNamara said.

Click here if you’re interested in helping the Red Cross of Virginia.

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