Has anyone went to help in the hurricane area

just asking if anyone has tried to go help up there. what equipment would u need to help? who would u contact to help up there.

so has no one went to help ?

No i could not go

why not

We are heading over there on Friday to help but it is our employer that is sending us to help but its not without merit, We also have a branch there so I am sure that is the driving factor.

I can't go up there, but helped after the major tornado in N. Ga. last year and got great direction from The Salvation Army and a local Baptist Association. They had identified locations needing assistance, and sent me where I could do the most good. I had my skid steer with OTT tracks and a root grapple. I primarily was cleaning up debris from trees that were being cut up to clear roads and yards. In the case where I was- once you found the office, you just showed up in the morning and picked up a job or two and went out to work. They had help with chain saw chain sharpeners, fuel, etc. to keep us working.

RTSmith said:

I can't go up there, but helped after the major tornado in N. Ga. last year and got great direction from The Salvation Army and a local Baptist Association. They had identified locations needing assistance, and sent me where I could do the most good. I had my skid steer with OTT tracks and a root grapple. I primarily was cleaning up debris from trees that were being cut up to clear roads and yards. In the case where I was- once you found the office, you just showed up in the morning and picked up a job or two and went out to work. They had help with chain saw chain sharpeners, fuel, etc. to keep us working.

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What area in north Ga.

Ringgold, Ga. I spent two days actually in Cleveland, TN., just across the state line. I was there about 8 days after the tornados and pulled through neighborhoods that looked like no one had been there to even touch them yet. I took my chain saw, but spent all my time riding the skid/grapple. There were a lot fewer of us with machinery than chain saw operators. They cut, I hauled.

One thing that I had not considered was traction. I spoke to one of the coordinators and he was the one that said to track up if you have them. I did, and it was a lifesaver. Even with the OTT, I got stuck once. There are just so many boggy spots after something like that. And given what you are doing, scratching some pavement or turf damage just isn't an issue in those situations. So if you have tracks, take them.

A friend of mine does FEMA work and he has been on hold, to go to NJ since two days after Sandy hit. I dont know the whole story, but he said FEMA hasnt give him a contract yet
He told me that volunteers, from this area went to NY and they wouldnt let them work, they said it was a union thing
I have been through many hurricanes (living on the east coast of NC) and I have been through the same stuff and my deepest prayers go out to them. It took us forever to get power during a hurricane in 2003?
Good Luck to all

so would it b worth it to go there or anywhere and get in w/ fema and do some work for a month or 3 ?

I am working there now, seven days a week, I live in Ocean County. I had no damage, thank God! I'm a few miles inland, and not in a flood zone.

Willis Bushogin said:

He told me that volunteers, from this area went to NY and they wouldnt let them work, they said it was a union thing

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Willis I think the story your friend was referring to is not accurate. One Alabama paper reported the story about some Alabama linemen allegedly being run off but every other paper, including all the local ones say it's false. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57544237/ala-utilities-our-crews-not-turned-away-from-n.j/ In fact this business news blog from Alabama says hundreds of their linemen are gainfully employed in NJ, and they report getting a warm welcome from the locals. http://blog.al.com/businessnews/201...aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
Even the president of the lineman's local says those guys ARE welcome here! :usa http://www.app.com/viewart/20121102...ical-workers-were-turned-away-from-Sandy-help
As far as construction equipment is concerned so far I have seen all local contractors so far. That I know of. Makes sense, there are a lot of big contractors around here who could mobilize immediately. But there are police in the actual disaster area from as far south as Louisiana, as far north as Massachusetts. And power companies from everywhere. If you want to help, I guess call the Red Cross, or someone like that. Or I guess FEMA, if you are actually a contractor. Unless you have a specific job lined up to volunteer for, I wouldn't just come here blindly, the police and National Guard turn people away from the disaster area, unless you really need to be there.