As death tolls continue to rise and cleanup efforts commence following Hurricane Helene, Alabama first responders have offered their assistance in North Carolina.
The Prattville Fire Department announced on Facebook that its crew along with Swift Water Rescue Technicians from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Calera and Mobile made it to their destination in North Carolina late last night to help with search and rescue efforts as the state saw extensive damage from the category 4 hurricane over the weekend.
“Today, [the crew members] were transported via helicopter to an area that was only described as ‘annihilated.’ Our crews just wrapped up their searches and surveys for the day and are extremely tired and sore but they are in good spirits. Please continue to pray for our crew but most importantly for those in this area that have lost family members and all their belongings,” the Facebook post states.
More than 50 teams have spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.
RELATED: At least 52 dead, millions without power after Helene’s deadly march across southeastern US
According to reports from The Associated Press, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Sunday that the toll of 11 dead in his state was expected to rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.
One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville, while another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams were finding people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.
According to an AP tally, deaths from the storm occurred in not only North Carolina, but also Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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