The Georgia National Guard responded to the call of action after Hurricane Michael made its way to the state.
Thirteen States were unified in sending service members to join the more than 3,000 North Carolina National Guard members activated in response to the massive storm. Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin National Guards sent Soldiers and Airmen to support North Carolina’s recovery effort. Air support vehicles included CH-47 Chinooks sent by five States; Black Hawk helicopters sent by 11 States; additional helicopters sent by the U.S. Coast Guard and other rotary wing aircraft sent by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
“I would put it right up on the scale with Hurricane Matthew. Along the coast, there was a lot of surge and wind damage. Then, once the storm stalled a little bit, the rain just heavily impacted southeastern North Carolina,” said SGM Robert Bowen, acting command sergeant major of 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard.
At the height of the relief effort, 50 aircraft were used in 346 missions, resulting in the rescue of over 440 citizens and 127 animals. National Guard members and first responders moved more than 685,000 pounds of supplies and equipment during the response.
Of the missions completed by the North Carolina National Guard, most were east of Interstate 95 and included search and rescue, swift-water rescue support, sandbag operations, commodities distribution, evacuations and support to local law enforcement and first responders.
Days after the storm had passed, North Carolina’s State CSM Russell Prince assured citizens that the National Guard was still working on their behalf.
“Remember, no mission is complete until you are returned to the arms of your loved ones back home,” he said in a video posted on the North Carolina National Guard Facebook page.
