HOUSTON — Houston-area groups and organizations are currently deploying resources to regions impacted by Hurricane Helene as the storm's scope stretches across the southeastern U.S.
CenterPoint said it is sending 90 internal and contracted crews to Florida to help with power restoration as part of the industry's mutual assistance program.
The American Red Cross Houston Chapter is also on the ground with volunteers in Florida.
"After we arrived at our hotels, we were, for safety reasons, made to stay there," Denise Juarez told KHOU 11.
Juarez arrived in Tampa ahead of the storm's landfall and is now working as a shelter supervisor for the Red Cross. The organization is ready to offer a place to stay for those in need.
"There have been quite a few water rescues, so those people are coming to the shelter with nothing," Juarez said.
Another group in Florida is the United Cajun Navy.
"We've got gas, relief food, water, cleaning supplies, tarps, all these kind of things," Jennifer Toby, the United Cajun Navy's executive director told KHOU 11.
The group witnessed severe weather as it was stationed near the most impacted areas, ready to be deployed once the storm passed.
"We have huge volunteer numbers that come out of Houston," Toby said. "We probably got a couple hundred that are just out of the Houston and surrounding areas."
The Salvation Army of Greater Houston also spoke with KHOU 11 about local efforts to help.
"The Texas Salvation Army is sending, a number of, emergency response units," Maj. Robert Webb said in an interview. "With multiple mobile feeding units capable of feeding up to 1,500 meals a day."
Most groups said the length of their mission is unclear for now. But Denise Juarez said the opportunity to help people is what drives her to stay as long as needed.
"People deserve to be helped when they're going through these things," Juarez said. "And this is one little way that I can give back."
Donations to the groups can be made at their websites.