Red Cross Goes to Help Powerless in Kentucky

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HOPKINSVILLE, Ky.- The massive power outages in Kentucky from the ice storm have prompted a history making move by the state's Governor. With 500,000 homes and businesses still in the dark, and without heat, Governor Steve Beshear is ordering the activation of all Kentucky National Guard Units, along with portions of the state's Air National Guard.

This is the largest call-up of Kentucky's National Guard in the state's history.

The commanding general of Kentucky national Guard, Brigadier General John Heltzel is requestion all volunteers perform a house to house welfare check. Emergency responders and volunteers should meet at the weather operations center at 100 Margaret Place in Hopkinsville, Ky at 8:00 a.m.

Overnight, crews, including many from right here in Middle Tennessee, were able to restore power to a 100,000 people, but hundreds of thousands still remain in the dark in southern Kentucky.

Teams of volunteers from Middle Tennessee were on their way Saturday to help. Volunteers with the Nashville Red Cross headed out for Kentucky. They'll staff one, of more than 30 Red Cross shelters that are still open. Workers don't know what to expect, but they are eager to help out.

"It's never easy, but yet you know you're doing something for the Red Cross to help the people. When they need us, we'll be there," said Margaret Debusk, Red Cross Volunteer.

"We're just looking to make them comfortable, and feel as much like its at home as we can," said Susan Page- Gordon, another volunteer.

The volunteers will stay in Kentucky for as long as they're needed, and they will be staying in the shelters with the people they're helping.

The thick ice has caused quite a bit of damage, but the electric company says they have restored power to about 78 percent of their customers. The damage was bigger than anyone expected. Massive trees weighed down by ice, tumbled blocking a number of roads.

The ices storm has also caused a safety issue with power lines sprawled across people's yards and the roads. An estimated 500 electrical poles will have to be replaced.

"We're going to have to totally rebuild some of the lines It's going to take some time, so we just ask for patience," said Brent Gilkey, utility manager.

It turns out at least seven people in Kentucky have died from Carbon monoxide poisoning. That includes one man found dead in his apartment near Louisville Saturday morning who was trying to heat his home with a charcoal grill.