Gov. Ivey deploys Alabama National Guard to help with 'warzone-like devastation' in North Carolina

4 months ago 2

AND CHUNKS OF WOOD AND ACROSS THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, GOVERNOR ROY COOPER’S OFFICE SAYS MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM FLOOD WATERS. SADLY, DOZENS ARE DEAD. AND WE NOW KNOW MORE THAN 400 ROADS ARE CLOSED IN THE STATE, MAKING RESCUE EFFORTS EVEN MORE CHALLENGING RIGHT NOW. A FIRST RESPONDERS FROM ACROSS OUR STATE ARE HELPING WITH THAT. WVTM 13 EMMA OWEN EXPLAINS HOW THEY’RE LENDING A HAND. FIREFIGHTERS FROM CALERA AND CITIES ACROSS OUR STATE ARE IN NORTH CAROLINA, RIGHT NOW, ASSISTING WITH RESCUE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS. CALERA FIRE CHIEF SEAN KENDRICK SAYS THEY’RE WORKING IN THE GUERIN CREEK AREA IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. THEY’RE STAYING AT A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT THERE, ONE OF THE ONLY BUILDINGS THAT WASN’T SEVERELY DAMAGED. NOW, GUERIN CREEK IS NEAR ASHVILLE, WHICH WAS ALSO DEVASTATED BY FLOOD WATERS. CREWS FROM CALERA, HOOVER BIRMINGHAM, VESTAVIA HILLS, MOUNTAIN BROOK, PRATTVILLE AND MOBILE ALL STEPPING IN TO HELP. THESE WATER RESCUE TEAMS ARRIVED A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE EN ROUTE. CHIEF KENDRICK SAYS THEY WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO BE FLOWN IN BECAUSE OF HOW BAD THE DAMAGE WAS. ROADS AND BRIDGES FLOODED OR WASHED AWAY ENTIRELY. THE NATIONAL GUARD FLEW THEM IN ON CHINOOK HELICOPTERS. THEY MET AT AN AIRPORT AND LOADED ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD TO MAKE TWO FLIGHTS IN TO GET ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN. I’VE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH SOME OF MY GUYS THAT ARE THAT ARE DEPLOYED NOW, AND THEY’RE WORKING HARD, AND IT’S AN EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON THEM BECAUSE THEY’RE DEALING WITH LOSS OF LIFE. THEY’RE DEALING WITH LOSS OF PROPERTY AND JUST DEALING WITH A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE REALLY HURTING RIGHT NOW. NOW THESE RESCUE TEAMS LEFT FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON FRIDAY, AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN HOME AROUND SUNDAY. IN THE MEANTIME, THEY’RE PRETTY MUCH WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO ASSIST THOSE AFFECTE

Video above: Water rescue teams from Central Alabama assist with recovery efforts in North Carolina Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has mobilized the state's national guard to aid in relief and search-and-rescue efforts following the horrifying impact of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.Eleven airmen, a chaplain and a chaplain's assistant make up the Fatality Search and Recovery Team deployed to the area. “Hurricane Helene left warzone-like devastation in its path, and Alabama is here to lend a helping hand as our neighboring states begin responding and recovering,” said Governor Ivey. “North Carolina was especially impacted, and without hesitation, I am directing an Alabama National Guard team, in addition to other first responders, to aid in the search and rescue mission there. I pray for the safety of this team and that they are successful in their mission to rescue as many people as possible in the devastated parts of North Carolina.” Additionally, Alabama has sent three Swift Water Rescue Teams with 1 Cadaver Dog team.“Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters who have felt the worst of this storm,” said National Guard Adjutant General Maj. General David Pritchett. “This team is well-trained and well-equipped, and the prayers of our entire force are with them as they work to bring rescue to as many as possible and closure to the families of those we have lost.”Several Alabama fire departments have also sent crews to the state including Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Prattville and Mobile.If you would like to help with relief efforts, click here.

, N.C. —

Video above: Water rescue teams from Central Alabama assist with recovery efforts in North Carolina

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has mobilized the state's national guard to aid in relief and search-and-rescue efforts following the horrifying impact of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Eleven airmen, a chaplain and a chaplain's assistant make up the Fatality Search and Recovery Team deployed to the area.

“Hurricane Helene left warzone-like devastation in its path, and Alabama is here to lend a helping hand as our neighboring states begin responding and recovering,” said Governor Ivey. “North Carolina was especially impacted, and without hesitation, I am directing an Alabama National Guard team, in addition to other first responders, to aid in the search and rescue mission there. I pray for the safety of this team and that they are successful in their mission to rescue as many people as possible in the devastated parts of North Carolina.”

Additionally, Alabama has sent three Swift Water Rescue Teams with 1 Cadaver Dog team.

“Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters who have felt the worst of this storm,” said National Guard Adjutant General Maj. General David Pritchett. “This team is well-trained and well-equipped, and the prayers of our entire force are with them as they work to bring rescue to as many as possible and closure to the families of those we have lost.”

Several Alabama fire departments have also sent crews to the state including Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Prattville and Mobile.

If you would like to help with relief efforts, click here.

Read Entire Article