COLUMBUS – Ohioans were rushing into storm-ravaged areas of Florida even as others were trying to escape the wrath of Hurricane Ian.
One of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., Ian barreled across the Florida peninsula overnight, leaving a path of destruction in the southwestern part of the state, trapping people in flooded homes and knocking out power to 2.5 million people.
Those who tried to get out found it hard to do.
“They talk about Saturday, but I don’t know if that can be real or not,” said Amidou Kone, who was stranded at the Orlando Airport trying to get home to Cincinnati after visiting relatives.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Ohioans were headed into the stricken area to help with rescues and recovery.
The urban search and rescue team Ohio Task Force 1 deployed 47 of its members in a 14-vehicle convoy on Saturday, with stops scheduled in Tennessee and Alabama before arriving in Florida, according to the group’s Facebook feed.
AEP Ohio is sending nearly 590 line workers, tree crews, damage assessors and crew supervisors from throughout its service territory to both Florida and Georgia, prepared for at least a two-week stay to help restore power to millions of residents.
“Our neighbors in the south are in need and we’re committed to doing our part,” said Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re thankful for our dedicated employees and contractors who leave at a moment’s notice to lend a helping hand and for those who remain at home to keep the power on.”
The utility has dispatched workers in waves over the past few days, with damage assessment teams stationed in Florida and line crews en route to Georgia.
American Red Cross volunteers from Ohio also arrived to help in shelters set up for those forced from their homes by the storm.
Ian dropped to a tropical storm early Thursday morning over land but was expected to intensify again once its center moves over the Atlantic Ocean and menaces the South Carolina coast Friday at near-hurricane strength.