Helping with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief

Monday, August 29th 2005, 9:57 am

By: News On 6

Oklahomans without any personal ties to areas hit by the storm are still getting involved, gearing up for disaster relief efforts. PSO contractors headed out Monday afternoon, to work to restore power in hurricane ravaged communities. Volunteers are pitching in as well.

The Baptist Disaster Relief team, known for it's response in major emergencies nationwide, is mobilizing. Feeding teams have already left to support the Red Cross. The most recent addition, a Bartlesville chain saw unit, is also ready to roll.

Steve Cabler with Baptist Disaster Relief: "If we go in and we're doing nothing more than clearing off roadways so the emergency vehicles can get to where they need to go that's great, if we need to then go out into the neighborhoods to help people who physically or financially can't help themselves then that's where we're gonna be working."

Most are staging in Baton Rouge and are still waiting for word on the damage in New Orleans.

The power crews plan to be gone at least eight weeks. The Baptist volunteers will trade out with another local group in about 10 days and plan to have teams there to help as long as it takes.