SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – Wilmington, NC – Forces from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserves are responding to citizens in crisis as a part of the Department of Defense’s support of civilian authorities. Rotary wing aircraft and High-Water Vehicles continue to provide search and rescue efforts.
Army and installation social media sites are reiterating FEMA, state and local leaders’ messages: “Road conditions across nearly all of North Carolina will rapidly deteriorating in coming days. Stay off the roads as much as possible. All roads in the state are at risk of floods and can be washed away in a matter of minutes.”
In the next 24 hours, Public Affairs specialists will work to schedule interviews with Army senior leaders and commanders on the ground. They will also continue to support embed request with military units in the North and South Carolina area. Let OCPA know if you are having any issues connecting with a PAO in those areas.
Here are a few U.S. Army highlights as of 5 p.m. Eastern time, Sept. 16, 2018:
- Over 13,000 Soldiers have been committed to provide support to the area.
- Over 90 rotary wing aircraft from the U.S. Army, U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves committed to the effort with over 200 additional aircraft available within 24-72 hours if necessary.
- Approximately 30 watercraft and 3,000 Army High Water Vehicles from Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Drum, New York; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky are arriving for ground search and rescue, commodities distribution, citizen transportation, and patient movement.
- The Army has nearly 4,500 cots for citizens that are in need.
- The Army has nearly 200 medical beds ready for use.
- The Army has 18 water purification systems in the area.
Corps of Engineers
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed 148 personnel to assist with response efforts. USACE has also pre-positioned 132 generators, with an additional 116 in route to provide temporary emergency power support.
- For the generators, Temporary Emergency Power personnel have completed 7 inspections and 4 installations in North Carolina. Teams are staged and standing by to receive requests in South Carolina. All temporary emergency power assets in Virginia have been released after it was determined that generator requirements were minimal. Dam safety personnel continue assessments of dams and reservoirs on military installations. Personnel are currently on-site at Ft Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and Fort Gordon, Georgia.
- USACE contractors installed temporary power to a Hoke County water treatment facility in Raeford, North Carolina, Sept. 15. The facility treats approximately 200,000 gallons of water, which provides more than 500 county residences with potable drinking water. Hurricane Florence caused major power outages in the county, including to this facility. The 120kw generator restores power, bringing it back online to treat the water.
- South Carolina National Guard and USACE are coordinating to assist flood mitigation emergency operations in partnership with state and local officials. They are starting to place super sandbags to protect the 501 Corridor near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from potential river flooding following heavy rainfall related to Hurricane Florence.
- USACE has begun assessments of coastal flood risk management project impacts and continues to monitor reservoir operations as Hurricane Florence begins moving north.
Visual imagery and b-roll footage is available at the following DVIDS link: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/armyhurricaneflorence
For continued updates, please monitor the following Army social media sites: Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
Twitter = https://twitter.com/USArmy (@USArmy)
Instagram = https://www.instagram/usarmy (@USArmy)
YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/usarmy
The Army will be using the following hashtag for all social media: #Armyresponse