Gov. Justice Activates State National Guard to Assist Disaster and Recovery in North and South Carolina
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 01, 2024
UPDATE: Gov. Jim Justice received an update late today that the West Virginia National Guard’s scheduled mission to support disaster response and recovery efforts in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene has been placed on hold.
“Shortly after I announced the mission during my briefing this afternoon, we were notified that the North Carolina National Guard has put their request on hold as they continue to asses their response needs. We've assured them that we’re on standby to provide support at a moment's notice and in any capacity. The West Virginia National Guard is made up of some of the bravest men and women on the planet, and I know they’re ready to step in whenever and wherever help is needed the most. With that being said, their mission to South Carolina remains a go, and they’re prepared to assist.”
ORIGINAL: Gov. Jim Justice has activated members of the West Virginia National Guard to support ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts in North Carolina and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
"It's heartbreaking to see the destruction our neighboring states are facing," Gov. Justice said. "The West Virginia National Guard is running to the fire without hesitation, as we always do. That's what we do in West Virginia– we pull the rope together. I'm proud we can join forces with other states to support North Carolina and South Carolina in their recovery efforts. My thoughts and prayers are with our brave service
members, all the first responders in the area, and everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. Let’s continue to take care of each other.”
Twelve Airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing, including a Fatality Search and Recovery Team, will deploy to North Carolina. They will assist the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, North Carolina Emergency Management, the North Carolina National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other agencies in ongoing search and rescue operations. A chaplain will also be part of the deployment.
Additionally, 30 troops, including a contingent of engineers and loader dump teams, will head to South Carolina to support reconstruction and debris cleanup efforts as the state begins to rebuild. These troops will work alongside local, state, and federal agencies to ensure critical infrastructure is restored and communities can recover as quickly as possible.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 major hurricane at the time of landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, dumped copious amounts of rainfall on communities across the southeastern United States, including Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Busick, North Carolina, a remote town near Mount Mitchell State Park, received 30.78 inches of rain as a result of Helene — a record for the highest rainfall in the Appalachians from any tropical weather system.
To date, Helene has been responsible for more than 100 deaths, including 44 in North Carolina. Many more remain missing, with numerous communities across the region cut off, and millions still without power. The Biden Administration has issued Major Disaster Declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.
“When our neighboring states call, we will always be there to answer that call,” Maj. Gen Bill Crane, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, said. “The level of devastation we are seeing across our news feeds is beyond belief, and we know that both the citizens and the first responders in the impacted areas are in desperate need of help. With the strong support of Governor Justice, we are ready to provide any and all assistance we can render.”
West Virginia National Guard assistance was formally requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC process. EMAC is a mutual aid agreement among states and territories of the United States that enables states to share resources during natural and man-made disasters, complementing the national disaster response system.
"It's heartbreaking to see the destruction our neighboring states are facing," Gov. Justice said. "The West Virginia National Guard is running to the fire without hesitation, as we always do. That's what we do in West Virginia– we pull the rope together. I'm proud we can join forces with other states to support North Carolina and South Carolina in their recovery efforts. My thoughts and prayers are with our brave service
members, all the first responders in the area, and everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. Let’s continue to take care of each other.”Twelve Airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing, including a Fatality Search and Recovery Team, will deploy to North Carolina. They will assist the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, North Carolina Emergency Management, the North Carolina National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other agencies in ongoing search and rescue operations. A chaplain will also be part of the deployment.
Additionally, 30 troops, including a contingent of engineers and loader dump teams, will head to South Carolina to support reconstruction and debris cleanup efforts as the state begins to rebuild. These troops will work alongside local, state, and federal agencies to ensure critical infrastructure is restored and communities can recover as quickly as possible.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 major hurricane at the time of landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, dumped copious amounts of rainfall on communities across the southeastern United States, including Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Busick, North Carolina, a remote town near Mount Mitchell State Park, received 30.78 inches of rain as a result of Helene — a record for the highest rainfall in the Appalachians from any tropical weather system.
To date, Helene has been responsible for more than 100 deaths, including 44 in North Carolina. Many more remain missing, with numerous communities across the region cut off, and millions still without power. The Biden Administration has issued Major Disaster Declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.
“When our neighboring states call, we will always be there to answer that call,” Maj. Gen Bill Crane, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, said. “The level of devastation we are seeing across our news feeds is beyond belief, and we know that both the citizens and the first responders in the impacted areas are in desperate need of help. With the strong support of Governor Justice, we are ready to provide any and all assistance we can render.”
West Virginia National Guard assistance was formally requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC process. EMAC is a mutual aid agreement among states and territories of the United States that enables states to share resources during natural and man-made disasters, complementing the national disaster response system.
