Members of Mass.-based task force assisting with rescue missions in flood-stricken North Carolina
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News Staff
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News Staff
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Members of an elite task force from Massachusetts are in North Carolina assisting with rescue missions after Hurricane Helene soaked the region with torrential rain, causing unprecedented flooding and landslides.
Beverly-based Massachusetts Task Force 1, which is comprised of firefighters, technical rescue technicians, medical professionals, canine handlers, engineers, and civilians from all six New England states, shared photos of crew members navigating a swollen river.
MA-TF1, one of FEMA’s 28 urban search-and-rescue teams, has been on the ground in North Carolina since Thursday evening.
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MA TASK FORCE 1 (MA TASK FORCE 1)
MA TASK FORCE 1 (MA TASK FORCE 1)
MA TASK FORCE 1 (MA TASK FORCE 1)
MA TASK FORCE 1 (MA TASK FORCE 1)
Hurricane Helene unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina, dousing some communities with over two feet of rain.
Emergency workers are trying to reach areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure, and widespread flooding.
Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult.
President Joe Biden described the impact of the storm as “stunning.”
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Helene damage from Chopper 9 Skyzoom
Chopper Nine's views of Hurricane Helene aftermath
Chopper Nine Riverside Dr damage
Cowans Ford Dam after Hurricane Helene
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024
TRACKING: Flood waters continue to rise after Helene moved out
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
flooding along the Catawba River (WSOC)
Mountain Island Dam (WSOC)
Mountain Island Dam (WSOC)
Mountain Island Dam (WSOC)
Tropical Weather Crews work to clean up the tons of sand and debris pushed onto Gulf Boulevard from Hurricane Helene storm surge, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Luis Santana/AP)
Tropical Weather The sun shines through a hole in a building after storm surge from Hurricane Helene sent tons of sand into homes, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Luis Santana/AP)
Tropical Weather A home completely destroyed by fire due to Hurricane Helene is pictured on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Luis Santana/AP)
Tropical Weather This aerial drone view shows damaged homes and a vehicle collapsed into water after storm surge from Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Luis Santana/AP)
Tropical Weather A vehicle sits outside of its garage after storm surge from Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Luis Santana/AP)
Tropical Weather A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. Torrential rain from Hurricane Helene left many area streets flooded. In addition, traffic lights are inoperable due to no power, with downed power lines and trees. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)
Tropical Weather An uprooted tree landed on a pickup truck in front of a home on East Main Street after Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Glen Alpine, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)
Tropical Weather A barrier blocks a flooded Carbon City Road due to the torrential rain from Hurricane Helene , Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in downtown Morganton, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)
Tropical Weather The Riverside RV park was flooded from the overflowing Catawba River after torrential rain from Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)
Tropical Weather A stop sign can be barely seen above a flooded parking lot after torrential rain from Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)
Tropical Weather Daniel Dickert plants an American flag on his property were his boat shed was destroyed and his home damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Jena, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Workers clean and gut a property that was flooded from the storm surge, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Steinhatchee, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather An aerial view of flood damage along the Pigeon River left by Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Newport, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tropical Weather An aerial view of flood damage left by Hurricane Helene along the Nolichucky River, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Greene County, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tropical Weather Residents discard items from their homes which filled with floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson) (Mike Carlson/AP)
Tropical Weather An aerial view of flood-damaged Unicoi County Hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Erwin, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tropical Weather Pam Keen cleans up after their house took on water and piles of seaweed from the storm surge, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Steinhatchee, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather An aerial view of flood damage along the Pigeon River left by Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Newport, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
Tropical Weather An aerial view a damaged bridge and flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is seen along the Nolichucky River, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Greene County, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (George Walker IV/AP)
NewsChopper 2 flies over areas flooded from Helene This is the view from NewsChopper 2 on Saturday a day after Tropical Storm Helene caused significant flooding across metro Atlanta.
NewsChopper 2 flies over areas flooded from Helene This is the view from NewsChopper 2 on Saturday a day after Tropical Storm Helene caused significant flooding across metro Atlanta.
NewsChopper 2 flies over areas flooded from Helene This is the view from NewsChopper 2 on Saturday a day after Tropical Storm Helene caused significant flooding across metro Atlanta.
Tropical Weather Frankie Johnson, left, talks with fellow resident Charlene Huggins, whose home was destroyed, amid the destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather Frankie Johnson, left, and her husband, Mark Johnson, talk with fellow resident Charlene Huggins, right, amid the destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Tropical Weather An American flag flies over the destroyed city hall in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith) (Stephen Smith/AP)
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