TACOMA, Wash. — As of Monday, at least 230 people died because of Hurricane Helene.
The storm’s widespread damage is having an impact across six states. A recovery effort is underway as another powerful hurricane moves across the Gulf of Mexico.
Crews from around the country are offering help. A team from Washington is part of that response. Firefighters, K9 search teams, and doctors from around the region are among those being sent to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. There was a sendoff Monday afternoon in Tacoma for a crew that signed up for that challenge.
"Everybody knows that they're leaving their families and for a minimum of two weeks,” said Jim Vandertoorn, a Bothell Fire Department battalion Chief who works as a task force leader for the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management.
"The damage is so significant that it's hard to fathom. You feel for the communities,” Vandertoorn said.
The effort to help began over the weekend in Pierce County with people loading up and shipping out 90,000 pounds of gear.
"That includes everything from all the hardware and rescue equipment, as well as boats and motors and everything else involved,” said Vandertoorn who is also focused on Florida and another powerful storm, Hurricane Milton. "My folks are in Florida, so it's close home for me."
Juan Cotto, the director of Government Affairs at Bloodworks Northwest, also feels a connection.
"My father-in-law and my sister-in-law are down there right now, they're in a safe community just outside of Orlando," Cotto said. "But nevertheless, it's unnerving."
Bloodworks Northwest is urging people to donate blood to help.
"As of right now, we have sent 80 units of blood down to the impacted areas,” Cotto said.
"We have boats, and the capabilities to provide rescues and pick up citizens throughout a storm surge, or anything else that's involved in Florida,” Vandertoorn said. "It's one of those where this nation comes together and serves for one purpose, and I'm happy to be part of it."