“Ohio is answering the call to help Gov. (Roy) Cooper and North Carolina in its recovery,” said DeWine. “In the aftermath of this storm, many roads are blocked or completely washed away, so this aerial support will be crucial in getting resources where they’re needed the most.”
Later Monday afternoon, DeWine activated an additional 10 airmen from the Homeland Response Forces, 121st Air Refueling Wing to support first responders in fatality search and recovery.
North Carolina requested the Ohio National Guard’s help under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national mutual aid partnership that allows state-to-state assistance during state or federally declared emergencies.
Ohio Task Force 1 also has been reassigned to North Carolina after completing its missing in the Pasco County, Florida, area.
OH-TF1 deployed an 82-member team last Tuesday evening ahead of Hurricane Helene. The team included members trained in search and rescue operations.
The death toll has topped 130 people with hundreds more unaccounted for in six states due to Hurricane Helene, according to the Associated Press. The hurricane traveled from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Virginia, causing devastating flooding, destroying roads and homes and knocking down trees and utility lines.
North Carolina experienced the worst flooding in the state’s history, with rainfall estimates of more than 2 feet in some areas, AP reported.
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