DERBY, Kan. (KSNW)—As more Kansas rescue crews head to Florida to respond to Hurricane Milton, others are just returning home after two weeks of search and rescue after Hurricane Helene.
Captain Matt Ludwig with the Derby Fire Department says he would do it again. This is his third deployment for hurricane recovery and relief efforts.
“The people that I encountered firsthand that they were all very hopeful and optimistic. They’re very, very kind people and just, you know, thankful for what they have left. And they’re going to they’re going to stay and rebuild,” he said.
Captain Ludwig says that the Kansas Task Force had a “task” that is unimaginable for many.
“In North Carolina, we searched over 1,400 structures in three or four days. Sometimes, we were one of the first responders that had made it to that house to talk to those people,” he said.
The task force saw miles of destruction.
“Just the overall impact of what the water and the mudslides can do, the amount of homes and bridges, cars that were moved off their foundation and moved downstream, you know, two or 300 yards completely destroyed. And some of the cars and vehicles that were, you know, worse off than any wreck I’ve responded to,” said Captain Ludwig.
The experience is not just physically demanding.
“The hardest part for me was just being away from family. But, you know, all of our families are very supportive. They understand what we do and why we do it,” said Captain Ludwig.
He says he is inspired by the resilient people he met.
“Even looking around when their houses are destroyed, and their vehicles are destroyed and, you know, loved ones and friends that have been lost, they still had a very optimistic viewpoint on life,” said Captain Ludwig.
He wants people to know that firefighters’ work is hard but rewarding. He calls his role a first responder the best way to help communities.
For those who are interested in helping hurricane victims, Kansans in Wichita and Cowley County are collecting supplies to take to North Carolina. KSN’s parent company, Nexstar, has also partnered with the American Red Cross to collect donations.
