‘Convoy of Hope’: Bend linemen helping restore power in S. Carolina in wake of destructive Hurricane Helene

(Update: Second Bend-area lineman working in S.C.)

GREENEVILLE, S.C. (KTVZ) – Among the many emergency workers who traveled far to help victims of  Hurricane Helene’s widespread destruction is electrical lineman Tim Steeck, part of a crew from the Bend area working to restore power to residents in the Greenville, South Carolina area.

Steeck’s proud mom, Debi Raney-Kelso, said Tuesday the 2000 Bend High graduate and father of two was among the locals who subcontracted with a Detroit, Michigan company, P&G, to head to the storm-hit region in the wake of major flooding and other damage that’s cut power to millions.

Also on the working trip is lineman Ross Miller, who lives in the Alfalfa area and was born in Redmond and raised in Culver and Terrebonne. Miller's wife, Mariah, said the two men had been been working with Central Electric Cooperative contractors for eight years and "only left for this extreme need."

Mariah Miller said her husband has worked in the aftermath of many snowstorms and other storms around the U.S. and told her "this is probably one of the worst" he's seen.

Repair needs following the destructive storm has brought thousands of line workers and other crews from across the country – what’s referred to in one Instagram post as a “Convoy of Hope.”

It’s not known how long the work will last, or when they’ll return home to their families, Raney-Kelso said, offering a shoutout to the dedicated workers who headed to the East Coast to help.