Last week, we reported on the devastation that Tropical Storm Betty inflicted on Florida, Georgia, and the Southeastern United States. Debby, which initially made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Steinhatchee in Florida’s Big Bend, later crossed into South Carolina early Thursday morning, making a second landfall near Bulls Bay. With sustained winds of 50 mph and heavy rainfall, the storm left a trail of destruction across the state. The National Hurricane Center reported that some areas received over a foot of rain, leading to widespread flooding. Tornadoes spawned by Debby further compounded the devastation, damaging homes, schools, and infrastructure. Tragically, the storm has claimed lives, with multiple fatalities reported across the Southeastern United States, including South Carolina.
In response to the severe weather event, multiple State Defense Forces were activated, including the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), the South Carolina State Guard, and the Virginia Defense Force (VDF). Last week, we discussed the missions undertaken by the GSDF and VDF as they assisted their states in managing the aftermath of Tropical Storm Betty. This week, the South Carolina State Guard has been conducting multiple missions to support the citizens of their state. The South Carolina State Guard was partially mobilized during the week of August 5-9 in response to the State of Emergency declared by Governor Henry McMaster. Elements of the Professional Services Command were activated, including the Joint Operations Center and the Swift Water Rescue Team, which played a critical role in assisting residents in flood-affected areas. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, all missions were successfully completed, and the units have since returned to base.
The Swift Water Rescue Team is comprised of highly skilled divers. They are tasked with the search and recovery missions for the SC State Guard. Past mission include the recovery of sunken vessels, installing scientific data for the State of South Carolina, the recovery of weapons that were discarded in bodies of water, drowning victim response, and deployment as a part of the SC Floodwater Rescue Taskforce.
As South Carolina continues to recover from the impact of Tropical Storm Debby, the efforts of the South Carolina State Guard and other State Defense Forces highlight the crucial role these organizations play in disaster response and community resilience.
Here are some photos of South Carolina State Guard troops during the mission:
Special Thank you To The South Carolina Public Affairs Department led by Captain David Finleyson & Captain Joseph Goldsmith
