CLINTON, NC (WTVD) — As rebuilding efforts in western North Carolina continue, first responders in the Sandhills have stepped up recovery. Deputies from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office are among those who traveled from the Sandhills to help.

“It was a lot worse than I ever imagined it would be,” captain Scott Hodges said. “It’s just a totally different animal than what we’re used to dealing with here in the eastern part of the state.”

Hodges and Deputy Emory Brown were among dozens of Sampson County Sheriff’s Office officers helping Hurricane Helene victims on the ground in western North Carolina. One way deputies helped was by providing overnight security in areas such as storage areas, but they said the dire conditions haunted them.

“These people owned a piece of land, basically a hole in the ground that they have a mortgage payment to buy a house for a home that is no longer there. Without strong faith, I don’t know how anyone could wake up every morning. and find that direction to even start to come back from it,” Hodges said.

Brown also acknowledges how difficult it was for people without means to escape the deadly conditions – as there were several unexpected mudslides throughout the area.

SEE ALSO: Counterfeit airbags: Warning issued to consumers on rise in dangerous and fraudulent auto parts

“How far is it good to get away from it? And I think it was an impossible situation,” Brown said.

After seeing victims taking wet and muddy donated clothes to keep warm, officers decided to hold a clothing drive in Sampson County to collect new, clean clothes.

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office said it collected more than 600 coats, sweaters and sweatpants for Helene State victims.

“It’s so good to go out there and know you’re making a big impact on people who need help. It’s good — it’s a great feeling,” Brown said.

“I challenge anybody else,” Hodges said, “if there’s anything you feel you can help with, by all means, do it because these people still need help.”