LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — It's been less than a week since Hurricane Helene tore through many towns in the southeastern part of the country uprooting the lives of many and leaving behind a trail of devastation.
As the hours pass by, the number of deaths and reports of food scarcities continue to come to the forefront of Helene's impact.
"Family members trying to get to them and then they get in an area where there is no cellphone service, nobody can get a hold of them," said Kathy Bates, a volunteer with the Greater Arkansas Red Cross. "So they get counted into the number of missing people because we don't know where and they don't know where they're at."
Bates and other volunteers have made their way from Arkansas to states such as Georgia, Florida and North Carolina— providing an outlet of support to those in need.
According to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Hurricane Helene caused historic damage to parts of the state, reporting 34 storm-related deaths and at least more than 450,000 residents of the state left without power.
To assist many individuals who are in similar situations, organizations like the Red Cross have provided various resources such as care packages, shelters, and first aid.
Bates is just one of over 900 Red Cross responders who have been actively working to assist with recovery efforts.
"We've started feeding hot meals at lunch and hot meals for dinner," she said.
The Arkansas Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Program sent volunteers to Valdosta, Georgia where damage has changed the lives of many.
From flooding, power outages and a lack of transportation to get to resourceful areas, the disaster relief group hopes to provide much more than care.
"We have almost 4,000 total volunteers with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, disaster relief units spread across our state, and they train for moments like this, to be deployed and to help people at the point of their need," explained Craig Jenkins, the ABSC Executive Team Member.
By providing frontline ministry to those in need, volunteers are prepared to help with food service and chainsaw teams to help inch storm victims towards normalcy.
While many organizations are just getting their hands in the mud to provide assistance, there are other ways to support those in distress even if you're miles away.
For more information on how you can support those affected by Hurricane Helene, please click here or here.