In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the extent of devastation was staggering, as the storm caused widespread damage and loss of life across multiple states. From Tampa to Atlanta to Asheville, high winds, torrential rain, and the storm’s sheer size led to significant destruction. Tampa Bay saw an enormous storm surge that inundated homes up to their attics. In Atlanta, record-breaking rainfall submerged streets and cars, while widespread flooding and the threat of dam failures left North Carolina communities isolated. In Tennessee, floodwaters submerged a hospital, leading to a dramatic helicopter rescue. The death toll has risen to at least 64, with many still unaccounted for.
The storm made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend coast late Thursday, and its impact quickly spread across hundreds of miles. Tampa Bay was hit particularly hard by the surge, resulting in numerous drownings as residents sought refuge in their attics. In Georgia, a mother and her newborn twins were tragically killed by falling trees, and in South Carolina, toppled trees and tornadoes caused further destruction, claiming the lives of firefighters and civilians alike. The storm’s effects were felt as far as Tennessee, where rivers overflowed, and emergency evacuations were necessary.
In response to the devastation, the Georgia State Defense Force was activated on Saturday morning. Approximately 120 Soldiers were deployed alongside National Guard units to assist with debris clearing, Point of Distribution (POD) missions, and traffic control. These troops are working closely with the National Guard to clear roads, distribute supplies, and maintain order in flood-affected areas.
Similarly, the South Carolina State Guard (State Defense Force) was activated to support recovery efforts in the western part of the state, which was hit by significant damage despite not being in the direct path of the hurricane. State Guard personnel are engaged in debris clearing operations, allowing critical infrastructure to be restored and emergency services to reach those in need.
On Thursday, the Virginia Defense Force was activated in conjunction with the National Guard. Their roles in the operation include logistics support, administrative assistance, operations center augmentation, weather forecasting, and public information dissemination across multiple locations. The combined efforts of both forces have been essential in maintaining the response to the hurricane.
The Tennessee State Guard still has not been activated and is standing by for orders. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The missions undertaken by the State Defense Forces are crucial for the recovery process. Debris clearing is essential for ensuring emergency services can reach people in need and that residents can access shelters and obtain emergency supplies. Clearing trees from downed power lines also allows utility crews to restore electricity more quickly. POD missions play a critical role in distributing food, water, and emergency supplies when local markets are closed or without power, helping affected communities survive until normal operations resume.
Here is a video from a few days
Early to Rise!
Ready to Serve!
We are Georgia’s state guard!
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers muster before sunrise, preparing to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, Augusta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
Join the GSDF at gsdf.link/join
(Georgia State Defense Force photo by Sgt. Lauren Boyle-Estheimer)
#GeorgiaStateDefenseForce#GSDF#GASDF#hurricancehelene#GADoD#GANG#GAARNG#augustaga
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Carson works with the Georgia National Guard at the Joint Operations Center, Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga., Sept. 26, 2024.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
Join the GSDF at gsdf.link/join
We are Georgia’s state guard!
(Georgia State Defense Force photo by Capt. Beverly Shepard)
#GeorgiaStateDefenseForce#GSDF#GASDF#hurricancehelene#GADoD#CNGC#GANG#GAARNG
Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers brief Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers who arrive to assist the Guard with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, Valdosta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
The GSDF is Georgia’s state guard!
Join the GSDF at gsdf.link/join
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
(Georgia State Defense Force photo by Lt. Col. Jason Ross)
#GeorgiaStateDefenseForce#GSDF#GASDF#hurricancehelene#GADoD#GANG#GAARNG#valdostaga
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers use chainsaws to clear fallen trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Valdosta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
GSDF Soldiers are assisting the Georgia National Guard in post-hurricane recovery efforts in northern and southern portions of the state.
We are Georgia’s state guard!
Join at gsdf.link/join
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
(Georgia State Defense Force photo by Sgt. Geovanny Montijo)
Throughout the day, Georgia National Guard route clearance teams, including the Georgia State Defense Force, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, and state and local agencies, worked to clear roads and ensure that residents and businesses impacted by #HurricaneHelene received essential supplies.
The Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard, and Georgia State Defense Force are components of the Georgia Department of Defense.
Ready to Serve!
Join the Georgia State Defense Force at gsdf.link/join
(Photos courtesy of the Georgia National Guard)
#GAARNG#GANG#GaDoD#GeorgiaStateDefenseForce#GSDF#GASDF#GaDoD#hurricanehelene
Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Soldiers clear fallen trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Augusta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
We are Georgia’s state guard!
Join at gsdf.link/join
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
(Georgia State Defense Force photo by Sgt. Lauren Boyle-Estheimer)
#GeorgiaStateDefenseForce#GSDF#GASDF#GaDoD#hurricanehelene#Augustaga
VNG staged, ready in Abingdon, Roanoke for possible severe weather response operations
By Cotton Puryear | Virginia National Guard Public Affairs
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard staged approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high mobility transportation Sept. 26, 2024, in the Abingdon area in order to support the response to potential impacts of Hurricane Helene. The personnel are trained and ready to conduct movement, debris reduction and supply transport missions Friday morning and will link up with local emergency managers to provide assistance if needed.
The VNG also staged two Black Hawk helicopters with rescue hoist capabilities in the Roanoke area. The staged troops and equipment will be able to respond in the region as needed.
“The Virginia National Guard is ready to support the Commonwealth during times of need, and we are currently mobilizing a team as this storm approaches,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, Virginia National Guard director of the joint staff. “When our troops get the call to assist Virginia localities, they leave their loved ones and their jobs on short notice. We owe a special thanks to their families and employers for their continued support which is so critical to mission success.”
The aviation support element in Roanoke is partnered with Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services technical rescue specialists to form the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or HART, which provides rotary wing aviation hoist capabilities and aerial rescue evacuation.
In addition to the troops staged in Abingdon and Roanoke, Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force will provide logistics, administrative, operations center, weather forecasting and public information support to the operation at multiple locations.
Hubbard said VNG planners have been in close contact with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to determine what capabilities would be helpful and where it would be best to locate them.
Typical missions for the VNG during hurricane or tropical storm response operations are transporting first responders or distributing food and water to citizens in remote areas using tactical trucks capable of moving through high water as well as providing chain saw teams to help reduce debris to clear roads or power line routes.
During domestic operations, the VNG receives missions from VDEM and responds as part of a multi-agency team with other state and local agencies to provide support capabilities requests by Virginia communities. VDEM determines where capabilities are allocated, and the VNG does not respond to direct requests for assistance.
Localities looking for VNG support should make their requests to VDEM, and they determine which organization can best provide the requested assistance as they coordinate the regional and statewide response.
Read more about VNG response operations at https://vngpao.info/VNGDomesticResponse.
Sources: Georgia State Defense Force PAO – South Carolina State Guard PAO – AP – Virginia National Guard – CBS News – Tennessee State Guard PAO
*Update 3:01 EST. Added 120 soldiers to GSDF troop count.
*Update 10/1/2024 – Added Tennessee State Guard Status
