The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWC and the Florida State Guard have been conducting search and rescue missions in North Carolina as part of Operation Blue Ridge, according to an FWC Facebook post. This initiative, launched by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to assist multiple states recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Under the governor’s direction, Florida officials have been deployed to help communities in North Carolina and Tennessee, particularly in hard-hit areas like the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Tennessee Valley. Operation Blue Ridge also extends support to Floridians in need of rescue in these regions, the FWC added in their post.
Teams on the ground have identified critical needs in the affected areas, including clean water, food, and fuel. In some remote communities where vehicles couldn’t access, rescue teams traveled on foot, coordinating with air support to provide aid.
In collaboration with local firefighters, the rescue team evacuated a mother and her one-year-old child, who had special medical needs, transporting them to the nearest critical-care hospital.
As part of the operation, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is also providing assistance to Floridians in need of rescue in Western North Carolina. A form is available for those requiring help or for individuals to refer others in need.