BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham is a Renaissance man. He started a veterinary career before studying to become a doctor for humans, followed by a stint in the U.S. Congress before taking on the role of Louisiana Department of Health secretary and, most recently, becoming the first surgeon general for the state. He's also a pilot. This week, he used several skills to help people in North Carolina struggling after Hurricane Helene marched through mountainous regions, causing flooding and landslides. Damage to power grids, phone service networks and road infrastructure has been widespread and severe. The most recent death toll has surpassed 160, and search crews with cadaver dogs searched some areas. The count is likely to rise. For some victims, however, hope came by plane and helicopter. From left: President and CEO of JAARS Inc. Steve Russell, retired West Monroe-area businessman Wayne Petrus, retired Louisiana State Police pilot Travis Pierrelee and Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham. Speaker Johnson says Congress has provided funds for Helene response Abraham flew with JAARS Inc., the Jungle Aviation and Relay Service team that supports Christian mission work worldwide. Steve Russell, president and CEO of JAARS, served in Congress with Abraham. He said the surgeon general and two other men from Louisiana, Travis Pierrelee and David Wayne Petrus, came to help on Sunday. Abraham and retired Louisiana State Police pilot Pierrelee left Tuesday and retired West Monroe-area businessman Petrus plans to leave Wednesday. (Petrus also regularly works with Pilots for Patients, a Monroe charity that helps people travel long distances for medical appointments and treatment.) "They flew thousands of pounds of aid, made evacuations — including a woman in labor — and conducted search operations. We were so very thankful to have them." Steve Russell, president and CEO of JAARS Inc. On Monday, Sept. 30, Russell posted photos of Abraham helping a pregnant woman onto a helicopter on Facebook. He said Abraham, Pierrelee "and their SARDOGs Robinson 44 attached to JAARS was able to help this 35-week pregnant woman in labor cut off and without water. She is now at the hospital." According to Russell, the organization also delivered 25,000 pounds of aid to the area on Monday. JAARS is a 501(c)(3). If you'd like to donate to offset fuel costs, go to jaars.org/give/helene and select Emergency Relief Fund. Want to help another way? The Red Cross is actively working to help people in 10 states. Donate online to help at redcross.com/donate/. Latest News Chevy and GMC truck owners could get up to $12,700 as part of $35M settlement Harris backs striking port workers, knocks Trump Whisker Wednesday: Meet Belle, a cat up for adoption New California law mandates fashion industry to take old clothes back for free Baton Rouge Police: Man killed, woman hurt in Monday night crash