HOLLY, Michigan — A Michigan Task Force 1 team was deployed to North Carolina Friday after rain from Storm Helene, now a tropical depression, impacted several states in the southeastern US when it made landfall in Florida late Thursday.
The task force's Type 1 Swiftwater Team will help with search and rescue efforts in the state, which was impacted by heavy rainfall from Helene, causing severe flooding. In a press release, Michigan State Police said more than a half a foot of rain has fallen in parts of North Carolina, causing floods and landslides.
WTOL 11 sister station WBIR is reporting catastrophic flooding in western North Carolina.
According to the National Weather Service's site, much of North Carolina is affected by flash flood warnings. In some areas, the NWS said in an alert bulletin, between 8 and 11 inches of rain fell.
The team was deployed in response to a request by the state of North Carolina for out-of-state support, MSP said. The team itself is comprised of 19 people and includes first responders from fire departments across Michigan.
The team will remain in North Carolina for a nine-day mission, through Oct. 4. Their work will include water rescues, flood response, as well as helping trapped residents and motorists. They are also able to rescue small animals and pets, MSP said.
Michigan Task Force 1 was also deployed to South Carolina following Tropical Storm Debby, and during May 2024 flooding in Texas, as well as July 2023 flooding in Vermont.
Ohio's Task Force 1 was deployed to Florida to provide similar assistance in Florida.
Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 Hurricane late Thursday night. Helene continued through the southeastern United States before being downgraded to a tropical storm Friday morning, and a tropical depression Friday afternoon.
