Helene Herstel | Sampson County officers reflect on response to Helene: 'Much worse than I ever imagined'

CLINTON, NC (WTVD) — As rebuilding efforts continue in western North Carolina, first responders from the Sandhills have stepped up to the plate in the recovery effort. Officers from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office are among those who traveled from the Sandhills to help.

“It was way worse than I ever imagined,” Capt. Scott Hodges said. “It’s just a completely different animal than what we deal with here in the eastern part of the state.”

Hodges and Deputy Emory Brown were among dozens of Sampson County Sheriff’s Office deputies who helped Hurricane Helene victims on the ground in western North Carolina. One way officers helped was by providing security at night to areas such as warehouses, but they said the dire conditions haunted them.

“These people owned a piece of land, basically a hole in the ground, that they have a mortgage payment on to buy a house for a house that is no longer there. Without a strong faith, I don’t know how anyone could get up every morning and find that direction to even come back from that,” Hodges said.

Brown also realizes how difficult it was for those without resources to escape the deadly conditions, as there were several unexpected mudslides throughout the area.

“How far away is it good to get away from that? And I just think it was an impossible situation,” Brown said.

After seeing victims taking wet and muddy donated clothing to keep themselves warm, officers decided to hold a coat drive in Sampson County to collect new, clean clothing.

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office said they have collected more than 600 jackets, sweaters and sweatpants for the state’s Helene victims.

“It’s so good to go out there and know that you’re making a big impact on people who need help. It’s a good feeling, it’s a great feeling,” Brown said.

“I challenge anyone,” said Hodges, “if there is anything you think you can help with, do it especially because these people still need help.”