Local Red Cross and PG&E crews in Florida while Hurricane Irma batters state

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Crews from the Central Valley are already in Florida to help hurricane victims. PG&E crews expect to start helping Florida power companies restore power starting Monday.

At least 100 PG&E crews are already in Florida, and they're ready to head out to help restore power to millions of people. The Red Cross also has shelters open, and they expect more volunteers to head their way as Hurricane Irma continues to rip through the state.

Hurricane Irma continues to batter parts of south Florida. The storm surge flooded streets in Miami while powerful winds knocked out power to millions. Hundreds of PG&E workers are now in West Palm Beach to help Florida Power and Light restore power to the severely hit areas.

"They're developing their work plan strategy for tomorrow," Angie Gibson with PG&E said. "We have a regularly scheduled meeting with FPL throughout the day today to ensure we're aligned. I believe we're going to have a good plan tomorrow, an all-clear as they say."

While many evacuated, several Floridians stayed behind.

"In total right now, over 132,000 people sought refuge last night in over 510 government Red Cross shelters," Barry Falke with the American Red Cross said. "Just in Florida alone, that's 127,000 people in 460 evacuations centers."

Falke is from Fresno, and he arrived in Florida on Friday. He says about eight more volunteers are coming from California to help Hurricane Irma victims, but he expects more to start coming his way once as the storm continues to slam parts of the state.

"I think what we're going to see once the storm passes is more volunteers coming this way to be backups for the shelter workers right now," Falke Explained.

The storm leaving a trail of destruction behind, Hurricane Irma is expected to keep moving north and make its way up southwest Florida.

PG&E will be helping crews install new power poles and power lines.