CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Stephanie Rayburn and her family are searching for their uncle, aunt and cousin who were living in Lakeland, Georgia, just above Tallahassee, during Hurricane Helene.
The storm made landfall on Sept. 26 and the Rayburns have not heard from their family since.
"My sister talked to Royce two days before it hit and to my knowledge they were staying put, they didn't think it was going to be as bad as it was," Rayburn said.
She said she turned to Facebook to ask all of her out-of-town relatives in that area to let her know they were safe.
"We've heard from everybody but them from; the Florida panhandle all the way up to Tennessee, so they're the only ones we haven't heard from and there's been nothing for Mike, Royce or DeeDee, and it's scary." Rayburn said.
She said they've come to a dead end when it comes to thinking of more ways to try to locate them, and this is likely the case for many who had loved ones impacted by the storm.
3News reached out to our local American Red Cross for advice.
"Best way to reach our folks to find a missing loved one is to call that 1-800 Red Cross number and specify, 'I am trying to be reunified with a family member I haven't had any contact please open up a case, and help me find my loved one,' " spokesperson Angelina Garcia said.
She said there is currently 2,600 people staying in 69 Red Cross Shelters since the storm made landfall.
"You may have loved ones that are in one of these 69 shelters that we are either operating or supporting," Garcia said. "We track all of those folks too. It's the first place we go to when looking for folks who need to be reunified with family members or let family members know they are safe, they are in a shelter."
As for Rayburn, she is holding out hope that her family is safe, just without power, and she will hear from them soon.
"It's just scary to think that our last connection to my dad might not be around anymore and the not knowing is just heartbreaking," she said.
The number to call is 1 (800) 733-2767 or download the app.