Lifelong Limestone County resident Tommy Sprague was keeping a close eye on Hurricane Irma’s projected path when he decided that he was going to find a way to help. Drawing from his experience as a disaster relief and rescue worker with the U.S. Army, Alabama National Guard and American Red Cross, he knew he needed to come up with a realistic plan and assemble a team.

Joining forces with his cousin, Purple Heart recipient Ronnie Lasiuta of Forest Lake, Minnesota, and his friend, retired Minneapolis police officer Gary Duren, the three formulated a disaster relief plan over the phone.

They agreed that they would go to Charleston, South Carolina, where winds from Hurricane Irma toppled trees and phone lines and the storm surge sent waist-deep water coursing through Charleston’s historic district.

The trio plans to fund the trip out of their own pockets.

“We have the time and resources,” Sprague, said. “And our skills are best suited for the type of work they need in Charleston.”

Sprague retired from the Army as a colonel in 2011. During the Elba flood of 1998, he piloted helicopter flights that allowed then-Governor Bob Riley to assess the damage, and he participated in the mountain rescue of 30 students trapped in a snowstorm on Mt. Cheaha.

He contacted Steve Wilkinson, a contractor friend in Charleston, who lined up various jobs for the team.

“We are going to do clean up and mud-out work, cut down tree limbs, clean out gutters, bail the flood water out of basements and garages,” Sprague said. “Mostly for elderly people who don’t have the means to do it themselves.”

The team plans on helping as many Charleston residents as possible during their two-week stay.

Duren hopes to draw on his 28 years with the police force to bring “calm” and “stability” to what could be a chaotic situation.

“Doing this was a no-brainer for me,” Duren said. “I have spent my career helping people.”

Duren and Lasiuta arrived late Thursday evening to find that Sprague already had his F250 truck loaded with an arsenal of cleaning implements, a pressure washer and a couple of chain saws.

The group left early Friday morning and will begin work as soon as they arrive.