MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — Crews from Maryland have been aiding communities in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene’s landfall.
First responders from Maryland have already made several rescues. The Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Response Team (MD-HART) team executed 17 rescue missions on Saturday.
Of the 17 rescued, two were children, and one was an infant. Crews also rescued two dogs.
According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer, the rescues were completed through “hoist operations.”
These rescues come after Maryland Governor Wes Moore authorized the mobilization of soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard, two helicopters and firefighters from the MD-HART team to assist in North Carolina.
On Sunday, Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1) is en route to the Asheville area, while Md-HART is flying more missions in the greater Asheville area in Western North Carolina.
MD-HART crews completed a mass evacuation of residents and dogs cut off by landslides, overflowing rivers and damaged bridges, according to Piringer.