Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis Launches Operation Blue Ridge
The Floridant/10283701

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ~ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In the wake of Hurricane Helene's destruction, Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that Florida is taking swift action to provide recovery assistance to North Carolina and Tennessee through Operation Blue Ridge.

The multi-state agency response includes the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida State Guard, Florida National Guard, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida Law Enforcement Coordination Task Force, and a Law Enforcement Strike Team.

Governor DeSantis also announced that Floridians seeking rescue in Western North Carolina will be aided by the state of Florida. Those in need can fill out an assistance form at FloridaDisaster.org/OperationBlueRidge.

The mission will begin with various assets and personnel from different agencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will deploy one All-Hazards Incident Management Team, one Communication Unit Strike Team, one Telecommunications Emergency Response Task Force, ten truck loads of water (equivalent to 42,550 gallons), and over 100 Starlinks.

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The Florida State Guard will send two Special Missions Search and Rescue Teams consisting of eight soldiers and one aerial assessment pilot. The Florida National Guard will also contribute with two National Guard Response Teams made up of eight soldiers each, along with equipment and two CH-47 Chinooks with crew.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will send a Law Enforcement Coordination Taskforce consisting of seven agents and analysts. They will also deploy a Law Enforcement Strike Team made up of seven agents and officers.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement is sending a 22-man team including two captains, two team leaders, twelve officers/investigators, one LE PIO (Public Information Officer), one mechanic, equipment such as a SOG trailer and high-water vehicles (buggy/high water UTV), airboats, shallow draft vessels, 4x4 trucks, fixed wing aircraft with a pilot and tactical flight officer.

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The Florida Department of Transportation has also made resources available to support the immediate inspection and assessment of transportation infrastructure maintained by NCDOT and TDOT. These include Emergency Cut and Toss Strike Teams, Infrastructure Damage Assessment Teams, a Bridge Inspection Team, temporary bridge materials, a hydraulic modeling professional, project and contract management teams, and a public information officer with emergency communications technology.

Governor DeSantis expressed his commitment to assisting neighboring states in their recovery efforts. He credited Florida's strong disaster preparation and efficient response efforts for making it possible to provide much-needed assistance to other states.

For updates on Operation Blue Ridge, follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook or visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information related to Hurricane Helene.

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