As Hurricane Milton continues to impact parts of Florida, some local agencies are doing their part to help out with relief efforts.
The American Red Cross of NWPA has 10 volunteers deployed down south.
However, the widespread damage left behind by Hurricane Helene, has created some challenges.
We're just trying to do get people where they need to be to assist for people that need our help," said American Red Cross of NWPA Executive Director Mary Rogers. "That is the issue with Helene. It hit so many different states that it is a huge geographic area, so trying to get volunteers in every place we need to be is essential."
With Hurricane Milton making landfall, the organization is expanding its focus.
"Some of our shelters that are open, some of the areas would be hit again," said Rogers. "We are moving our volunteers and people in those shelters to other places in the evacuation area."
Meanwhile, Penelec has deployed 14 lineworkers from our area to Lake City, Florida, to help with Hurricane Milton Relief.
"We will go from that point, to wherever Florida Power and Light directs us," said Penelec spokesman Todd Meyers. "That's the one piece we don't know right now. We know we will be down there somewhere, but we don't know exactly where."
Those deployments are happening as 125 lineworkers from our region head back home, after spending two weeks in Augusta, Georgia, restoring power following Hurricane Helene.
"They were just released after two weeks yesterday, so some of them are coming home," said Meyers. "Some of them are two passing ships here and when they get back, we may look depending on what Florida Power Light needs us to do, we may look into sending an additional wave down later."