LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Superstorm Sandy is one of the costliest US natural disasters in history. As of Wednesday morning, there are more than 55,000 people without power.

A group of Lexington Police and fire officials left from Lexington on Wednesday morning headed to the northeast. The group will be going to New York, visiting the hardest hit areas.

"We kept seeing the need on TV for people in NYC where the national assistance hasn't trickled down to them yet," explains Lexington Police Department officer Stacy Shannon. "Instead of sitting back and watching, we decided we needed to do something."

The group filled trailers and cars with donated items from community members and local businesses. "People have really been supportive," explains Shannon, "Lexington is a city where people are generous and giving, this is a prime example of that."

"You know, we're public servants," explains Lt. Rodney Sherrod, with the Lexington Police Department, "that's what we are here to do, not only for Fayette County but for any other jurisdiction or state that may need some assistance."

Volunteers say that it'll take twelve hours to drive to New York. They tell us they plan to spend a majority of their time in Staten Island, an area heavily populated by NYC police and fire fighters.