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NYC first responders deployed to help in hurricane rescue efforts in North Carolina
By
Catalina Gonella
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2024
Modified Sep 30, 2024
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By
Catalina Gonella
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2024
Modified Sep 30, 2024
Share
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New York City first responders headed down to North Carolina over the weekend to help with rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, city officials said.
New York Task Force 1 — a specialized unit made up of members of the fire, police and emergency management departments — was deployed to affected areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the City Office of Emergency Management. Search teams were scattered throughout western North Carolina, where Gov. Roy Cooper urged residents to avoid travel for their safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
The storm made landfall in Florida late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane before heading north to Georgia and making its way through the Carolinas and Tennessee, according to the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service. The death toll surpassed 100 people across several states on Sunday, according to CBS News, as the region grappled with the devastation left in its wake. Millions of people were still without power on Sunday throughout the region.
By Saturday, New York Task Force 1 had rescued three residents and their pets in North Carolina’s Polk County, according to a post by the agency on X. According to the agency, the specially-trained squad was also conducting searches of the areas affected by infrastructure collapse, downed trees, mudslides and heavy flooding.
“In times of crisis, the spirit of New York City shines through,” the post said.
In an update on Sunday, the agency said the workers in Polk County had removed down trees and built a walkway to give residents access to their neighborhoods that had been isolated by washed out bridges and storm debris.
NYPD Emergency Services Unit Lieutenant Michael Granahan and FDNY Battalion Chief Jack Flatley spoke to Gothamist from a base camp set in Tryon, N.C.
They called the experience “humbling.”
“Unfortunately, this is a terrible incident that happened to this community. But we are fortunate enough to have the training to be able to help,” Granahan said.
The pair have been working with other first responders to do rescue work, evacuations, wellness checks, debris and tree removal.
“This affects the entire country —sometimes to takes something like this to bring the entire country together, and take care of each other,” Flatley said.
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said state resources were being sent to the affected states. Three heavy lift helicopters and 17 New York Army National Guard soldiers were en route to assist the North Carolina National Guard. New York state stockpile generators were transported to Georgia to help those without power, Hochul said.
"New York stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors in the south as we respond to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Hochul said in a statement. “In times of crisis, we come together as one community, embodying the spirit of solidarity and resilience.”
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Catalina Gonella
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Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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