COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — It’s a long road to recovery for millions of people after Hurricane Helene swept across the southeast. A local owner-pilot is getting behind the throttles and setting out for a flight to lend a helping hand.
Helene marks one of the worst storms in U.S. history, leaving behind a wasteland of splintered houses, flooded streets and a death toll now surpassing 100 people.
Damage from the hurricane stretches across at least 10 states. Winds over 100 and 20 miles an hour in some places, storm surges up to 15 feet and record flooding.
Joe Biden, President of the United State
A Columbus owner-pilot saw the widespread devastation on social media and knew he had to respond.
I started seeing those images come rolling through, and I thought, ‘Man, this is really bad.’ That’s when I started looking at ‘how can I get involved?’ And that’s how I found Operation Airdrop.
Micah Messer, Owner-pilot
Messer is volunteering with Operation Airdrop, a nonprofit organization based in Texas that organizes aviation assets after natural disasters strike. He is covering the costs of the trip including fuel and lodging. Messer will be heading near Asheville, North Carolina.