VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Hurricane Milton followed the destruction of Hurricane Helene across the southeast two weeks ago including Florida.
In response to the hurricane damage, crews here in Hampton Roads are answering the call and bringing supplies to those in need who are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Thursday morning at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, a plane took off toward Mountain City, Tenn., an area that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene late last month.
The plane had 5,000 pounds of supplies such as tents, diapers, and baby formula. Museum staff, 250 volunteers and Virginia Beach firefighters filled the plane.
"The airplane behind us is a DC-3 that's 83 years old,” said Keegan. “It's operated by Vintage Flying Machines of Florida, and they've loaned us the airplane."
This past weekend, at the Virginia Beach air show, the community rallied together and collected goods for impacted families across the Southeast.
"We started to get a lot of calls, obviously, from people saying, hey we won't be able to make it this week because my house floated away, or things like that,” said Keegan
After receiving several calls, Museum Director Keegan Chetwynd said the museum's chief pilot, Mike Spalding, decided to utilize one of the planes from the airshow to fly in supplies.
"I just thought it might be a good idea when they went home down to Georgia, that it would be on their way, and we could get donations and load the airplane up and take it. And that's what happened,” said the Pilot.
The trip to Mountain City, Tenn., is about a two-hour journey. Once they arrive, law enforcement will meet them to help unload.
This isn’t their only trip. In the next few days, they plan to bring an additional 25,000 pounds of donations from the kindness of Hampton Roads.
"When your neighbors are in trouble, you help them and that's what it means to be American," said Chetwynd.
The Military Aviation Museum is still accepting donations. Those willing to help can drop off supplies at the museum during business hours.