Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Monday that members of the Iowa National Guard, along with a state-operated swift water rescue team, have been sent to North Carolina to aid in recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
In a post on X formerly Twitter, Reynolds confirmed the deployment and urged everyone to join her and her husband, Kevin, in praying for those affected by the storm, which has claimed over 100 lives.
Seven National Guard members will be on duty through at least October 8, with funding provided by North Carolina.
The swift water rescue team, consisting of swimmers and divers from Iowa law enforcement, primarily hails from the Cedar Rapids area.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida, bringing torrential rain, flooding, and 140 mph winds to North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast.
According to the Associated Press, the death toll has risen to at least 132 and may continue to grow as authorities assess the damage.
Over 200 people have been rescued from floodwaters in North Carolina, where the Department of Public Safety confirmed that search and rescue operations are being supported by teams from 19 states and three federal agencies.
Flooding and power outages have left residents struggling to access essential resources, including water. Floodwaters have destroyed roads, bridges, homes, and vehicles.
As of Monday morning, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that 400 roads remain closed statewide, with all roads in western North Carolina affected.