SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two weeks ago Wednesday, people in Florida were hunkered down as Hurricane Ian slammed the Gulf Coast.
The category 4 hurricane caused a massive amount of damage. When images and videos of the damage reached Wisconsin, it led many to want to help, including some who headed down south.
“You hear how bad the storm was. Your expectations are to see stuff leveled,” said Chris Kauffman. He’s a lead lineman with Sun Prairie Utilities.
Most of Kaufman’s help down in Florida for the past two weeks went toward the parts of living most people rely on.
RELATED: Wisconsin lineworkers heading to Florida to help hurricane recovery
“Changing poles. Putting lines back up. Cutting trees. Getting the lights back on,” said Kaufman. “You prepare yourself for long workdays and know it’s going to be a lot of work.”
Kaufman said he worked with many other people from Wisconsin for the time he was down in Florida.
“We worked with all our group from Wisconsin, we had 21 trucks from different communities throughout Wisconsin. It’s nice that we get to work with people we know on a personal level… so you know the work ethic is going to be there,” said Kaufman.
That work ethic expanded far beyond just restoring power. Southern Wisconsin’s Red Cross Chapter currently has 40 volunteers still in Florida helping with Ian recovery efforts.
“All the residents are trying to get back in, pick up their lives, and, you know, find out what you know what’s left of their homes,” said Kyle Kriege, the executive director of southern Wisconsin’s Red Cross chapter.
Kriege said the damage that was done by this hurricane is significant.
“I would say that this is probably one of our top five disasters that the red cross has responded to,” he said. “We’ve got Red Crossers that are helping with whatever the needs are for those folks that are impacted, making sure they’re comforted in their time of need.”
It’s proof for Kaufman that in times like these, it’s the things we take for granted that make his work important year-round.
“That’s the best part of being a lineman,” said Kaufman. “You don’t get the day-to-day gratitude all the time. It’s when stuff like this happens when you’re job is actually recognized and very important.”
Since the Ian efforts have continued, News 3 Now has been checking in with the blood donation centers in our area about what they’ve been able to send to Florida. ImpactLife said Wednesday it wound up shipping 40 units of type O red blood cells for use in Florida.
RELATED: Wisconsin blood donation centers aim to ship part of collections to region impacted by Hurricane Ian
News 3 Now has also provided a list of resources to help hurricane victims. That information is available here.
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