Michael Neary / The Meridian StarHerman Bouldin, who directs security for Greater Meridian Health Clinic, helps to unload more than 800 bottles of water at the Northeast Conference Center Monday evening. Greater Meridian Health Clinic and Meridian Coca-Cola were among the large donors early Monday.

Though officials are still working to assess the extent of the damage left behind by Hurricane Irma, those from East Mississippi and West Alabama have begun their own efforts to extend a helping hand to Florida and Georiga residents.

Representatives from the City of Meridian, Lauderdale County and the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation have started a collection at the Northeast Conference Center, at 111 Highway 11 and 80.

“Our hoteliers have been inundated with evacuees, and our local churches and faith-based organizations have been wonderful,” said Dede Mogollon, executive director of Visit Meridian / Lauderdale County Tourism, as she collected supplies Monday evening. “We still had additional people asking what we could do.”

The collection point at the center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Mogollon said, and days may be extended if necessary. People in need of supplies may come to the center during those times to pick them up. The center will continue to accept items during those hours for those wishing to make donations.

Mogollon said people who have sought refuge in the area — and she estimated that thousands of people have done so — have already spent a great deal of money. In the coming days, the quest for many will be to return home.

“They still have to have gas and food on the way home,” she said.

Mogollon said water and snacks could be helpful, and she emphasized the importance of gift cards for gas, food and other necessities.

She said organizers have spread the word by sending flyers to hotels and campsites, and by sending notice through media and social media.

Laura Carmichael, Cultural Affairs coordinator for the City of Meridian, emphasized the importance of separate agencies working together.

“Collaboratively, we felt like we could make a bigger impact,” Carmichael said. “We’ve also had so much support from everybody else in the local community, from local businesses, to faith-based organizations, to the churches, to the hotels. The outpouring of support from the community has been amazing.”

Other relief efforts are underway, as well.

The Alabama National Guard will assist the Alabama Emergency Management Agency as Gov. Kay Ivey requests it, following Ivey’s emergency declaration, according to a press release. 

The Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center will serve as a staging area for aircraft from Fort Rucker, Alabama, hosting 37 aircraft from Fort Rucker’s 110th Aviation Training Brigade. In addition, 32 Apaches from the unit will be staged from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi. 

Nearly 100 Mississippi Power employees from Meridian, the Pine Belt and the Coast will travel to Macon and Valdosta, Georgia to assist Georgia Power with anticipated restoration efforts following Hurricane Irma.

In a video submitted by Mississippi Power, Nicole Faulk, the vice president of Mississippi Power’s Customer Services Organization, told an assembled group of linemen that Georgia Power appreciated their help.

“We stay safe during the event but after it’s over we’re some of those first responders to help bring that normal life back to those people that have been impacted,” Faulk said. 

East Mississippi Electric Power Association said it would send 21 employees including linemen, servicemen, engineers, right-of-way crew and mechanic to Okefenoke Rural Electric Membership Corporation, headquartered in Nahunta, Ga., to aid in power restoration efforts following the storm, according to an EMEPA news release.

More than 30,000 of the electric cooperative’s 36,000 meters are without power, according to EMEPA.

EMEPA crews will leave at 7 a.m. Tuesday and anticipate staying for 7 to 10 days. If more assistance is needed, a second group may deploy, according to the news release.