COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several members of the Ohio National Guard are en route to North Carolina to assist in recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene left parts of the state flooded and damaged.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday that he activated the National Guard to provide air movement of supplies, equipment and personnel. Those sent include one CH-47 helicopter and six soldiers.
“Ohio is answering the call to help Governor 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.”
DeWine also activated 10 Airmen from the Homeland Response Forces, 121st Air Refueling Wing to support first responders in fatality search and recovery.
North Carolina requested help under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The state was hit hard when the hurricane landed days ago.
A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed there.
According to the Associated Press, St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina, has been operating via generator power for days.
The hospital has continued to receive patients who were found in the mountains because its helipad is functional, marketing and public relations director Dean Graves told AP. All elective surgeries have been canceled until further notice, but the 25-bed hospital’s emergency room has been consistently full, he said.
The soldiers sent to help are in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, which is based in North Canton.
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