Emergency responders from Rutherford County continue to help areas of the Carolinas that were ravaged by Hurricane Florence.
Swift Water Teams
Swift water rescue units from both Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Fire & Rescue, Lebanon Fire Department and Wilson Emergency Management Agency are helping in Brittons Neck and Marion, South Carolina.
Rutherford County Fire and Rescue Commander John Ingle described what is happening now . . .
The part of the country in which the local rescue teams are operating is relatively flat. Ingle noted that the water from North Carolina flows into the rivers and creeks and causes the water level to rise out of the banks within minutes. Unfortunately, with the terrain being so flat--it takes considerable time for the water to flow toward the ocean and recede.
Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Commander Terry Smith told WGNS . . .
He paused, and then noted . . .
MED Line Crews
Murfreesboro Electric spokesperson Amy Byers told WGNS, "Linemen are in Lumberton, North Carolina, which is where not only does the water continue to rise, but a recently patched levee system is leaking. To make matters worse, approximately 30 per cent of Robeson County's are classified poverty level. Most of those residents reside in the low-lying areas that are seeing the most devastation.
Red Cross
Heart of Tennessee American Red Cross Chapter Executive Director Kathy Ferrell told WGNS, "We have 2 volunteers and an Emergency Response Vehicle continuing to serve in South Carolina. That team has crossed paths with personnel from Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department and Rutherford County Fire Rescue Department. What a small world!"
She continued, "A special thank you to Chief Mark Foulks, Chief Larry Farley, and Chief Deputy Keith Lowery for taking time out of their schedules this Monday morning at 11:30 to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Multiple blood drives have been cancelled as a result of the storm. To date, the American Red Cross has lost the opportunity to collect 5,400 pints of blood. These departments are personally connected to the response efforts and this is such a unique opportunity to share the need with the community."
CLICK HERE for information on giving blood.
Volunteers from the Red Cross report that Hurricane Florence and its associated rising water, have impacted approximately 56,000 homes in North Carolina and 32,000 in South Carolina. More than 3,600 Red Cross disaster workers from all over the country have mobilized to help shelter, feed and support people affected by Florence during this relief operation.
