College Station Volunteers Swing into Action Following Hurricane Helene
In the heart of Texas A&M, College Station is buzzing with the energy of community spirit as volunteers and emergency responders spring into action. Recently, members of Texas A&M Task Force 1, along with other dedicated teams, answered the urgent call for help as twin hurricanes struck the Southeast United States. The team, composed of around 80 members, was initially deployed to Florida after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc but soon found themselves in North Carolina, where the winds and rains left communities born of mountains battered and isolated.
Ready for Action
On September 24, the TX-TF1 team set off from College Station, heading to Pensacola, Florida, and preparing for Hurricane Helene’s onslaught. Once the hurricane passed, they shifted their focus to Treasure Island near Tampa where the scenery told a sobering tale of destruction. Team leader Landon Stallings described how the “tidal surge got into a lot of houses,” leaving the streets plastered with thick mud and debris.
LaNell Strietzel, a team member and K-9 handler for search dog Kimber, described what they saw: “The surge had come through, and the streets were thick with mud.” Highlighting the team’s efforts, Mason McLemore, search team manager, noted the critical role they played in searching affected areas and providing assessments. “We did hasty and primary searches of all affected structures looking for signs of life or human remains,” McLemore shared.
North Carolina’s Struggles
While Florida was recovering from the storm’s grip, news began to circulate about worsening conditions in North Carolina, which experienced catastrophic damage after over 30 inches of rain fell within just four days. The rainfall brought about swift torrents that washed away trees, cars, and homes, leaving many towns, like Burnsville in Yancey County, cut off from the outside world.
Stallings explained that the severe conditions resulted in entire communities being stranded. “In some communities, there may be one road in and out, and a lot of those roads were damaged or destroyed,” Strietzel added, describing the ongoing threat of landslides that complicated rescue operations.
Getting the Job Done
The team’s primary task was to search every home in Yancey County, which allowed them to assess the needs of the survivors still isolated due to damaged infrastructure. “They wanted us to pretty much touch every door in the county,” McLemore explained, emphasizing the need for thoroughness in their mission.
During their efforts, the TX-TF1 team encountered challenges they had never faced before. “Debris piles were 40, 50, 60-foot tall,” noted McLemore, signifying the immense natural destruction they were witnessing. Even after the waters receded, the persistent threat of landslides created perilous circumstances for both the rescue teams and survivors alike.
Collaboration and Care
In addition to the search efforts, Texas A&M’s Veterinary Emergency Team joined the scene. Led by Professor Debra Zoran, the veterinary group offered critical support, ensuring the K-9 search dogs working in grueling conditions stayed safe and healthy. “They could fall, they could get injured by laceration or a cut,” Zoran expressed, underscoring the challenges faced by both dogs and handlers.
The dynamic duo of dogs and their handlers led to breakthroughs in finding both survivors and those still missing. Strietzel’s K-9, Kimber, was among the talented four-legged team members who displayed extraordinary skills in locating humans during the trying days post-storm.
Stepping Back to Reevaluate
After about two weeks of intense work, TX-TF1 members were given the option to extend their service or head home. Ultimately, 20 team members returned home, while replacements filled the gaps left behind. This constant rotation kept the operations going steadily.
Meanwhile, the local American Red Cross chapter did not let up either. Jennifer Young, the executive director, focused on coordinating efforts in Georgia during this tumultuous time. Important responsibilities included overseeing the establishment of shelters and meeting the needs of an affected community struggling to regain power.
How You Can Help
As recovery efforts continue, there are numerous ways that individuals can pitch in. Volunteering for deployments, donating cash, or even giving blood are all avenues community members can explore if they wish to assist those who have been profoundly impacted by the storms. Young stresses the importance of financial donations, which go directly to aid those affected by the hurricanes.
As College Station continues to lend its support to the recovery efforts, it’s a testament to the resilient spirit of the Aggie community and the teamwork that truly shines in times of crisis. The ongoing efforts to find survivors and provide aid remind us all of the importance of coming together to help one another in need.
