ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Imagine an entire county without power for days. That’s what folks in Madison County, Florida experienced as the eye of Hurricane Helene crossed over the rural community after coming ashore last Thursday night. How to help those affected by Hurricane Helene New Yorkers from The Red Cross, Army National Guard, and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office have fanned out across the South to bring some much needed relief, and restore hope to some of the hardest hit areas. ”The power went out and all of a sudden the wind just started howling,” Cheryl Thomas, a resident of Madison County, Florida said. “I didn’t know what to expect when the sun would rise the following morning.” Madison County is a rural area of fewer than 20 thousand people. It sits between Tallahassee and Jacksonville, and just 15 miles south of the Georgia border. ”I lived through a Category Four, night storm. I never experienced anything so frightening,” said Thomas. In the last year, people in this area have experienced a one, two, three-punch from Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and now Helene. Courtesy: Charlie Jackson. ”Thankfully, we had no lost life here,” began Charlie Jackson of Madison, Florida. “Quite a few houses were hit, quite a few houses were devastated. Local, state and federal responders are assisting throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and other hard hit areas. ”The Army Reserve was giving out tarps, ice and water,” said Jackson. Gov. Hochul sending resources from Rochester to the South after Hurricane Helene That help is also coming from New York, and specifically from Rochester. Richard McCorry is among the 12 volunteers from Red Cross of Western NY. ”Probably the worst thing they’ve gone through in their life,” explained McCorry. “But we try to give them the little spark of hope that there are brighter days ahead, even though it may not seem like it at the moment." He’s watched as the number of people seeking shelter continues to double, as folks can no longer tolerate 90 degree temperatures. As of Monday night, Red Cross in Southwest Georgia housed some 500 people in 13 shelters. ”Even shelters that we provide them, we don’t have power, no air conditioning, no cell service. We just provide a roof over their head, a place to sleep and feed them,” McCorry said. Cheryl Thomas spoke to News 8’s Theresa Marsenburg from a relative’s home in Northwest Florida. She learned Monday that her power is back on and is hoping to return to Madison as early as tomorrow. Charlie Jackson’s power was restored Sunday night. Both of these survivors have friends and family in Rochester. The Red Cross said monetary donations as well as blood donations are greatly appreciated. You can learn more about how to help here.