The Red Cross has deployed more than 1,200 volunteers from across the country to states in the Southeast hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

Sean MacLean of Queens is joining 26 volunteers from the Greater New York region deployed to states devastated by the hurricane.

He spoke with News 12 exclusively before he boarded a plane to North Carolina.

"They've got a lot of supply lines disrupted, but also water, power, low level of cell service," said MacLean.

He will be rallying Red Cross volunteers in the Charlotte area.

"For our Red Crossers who live in North Carolina, these are homes there communities and many of them themselves have been impacted by the disaster," said MacLean.

This work is crucial, as the organization is working to shelter thousands of people now left homeless.

The Red Cross is also supplying warm meals, hygiene items and access to therapy dogs.

The death toll now from Helene is approaching 200.

"This is a unimaginable tragedy, so we do have licensed mental health professionals and spiritual practitioners helping them in grieving and coping with the loss essentially of their loved ones but also their community and way of life," said MacLean.

He will be deployed for two weeks.

Click here if you would like to donate to the Red Cross and support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.