KILLEEN (January 16, 2013)--A team of Texas A&M Forest Service emergency responders returned home Wednesday after a three-week assignment helping residents affected by Superstorm Sandy in New York.

They’re part of the 39-member Lone Star State Incident Management Team requested by the New York Office of Emergency Management.

They worked with the Army National Guard daily with home assessment and distribution efforts such as blankets, food and heaters.

The team was responsible for areas of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island that included more than 102,000 households.

Steve Carter, a resident of Killeen, is one of those who just came home from helping storm survivors.

"We went to this gated community,” he said, “(and) I'm looking at a really nice brick home, and then I walk around to the back side, the whole back side of the house was gone."

While away, Carter missed his wife's birthday for the first time in 34 years, but she said she wouldn't have had it any other way.

"He's been my hero for 34 years and fireman for 28 of those, so I'm just very proud," Teresa Carter said.

"I told my wife, 'I just can't imagine that happening to me,' so being able to be there to help out makes you feel good," Carter said.