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.
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.”