DoD’s Hurricane Matthew Rescue, Recovery Efforts In Tweets

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Katie Lange

by Katie Lange
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

Hurricane Matthew definitely did a lot of damage in the U.S. and in the Caribbean over the past week, and, as always, America’s service members were called in to help with the rescue and recovery missions that followed.

Thousands of Defense Department assets, including about 8,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen, as well as three Navy ships and the U.S. Southern Command, have spent the past several days helping rescue stranded people, clearing storm debris and trying to get life back to normal in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida – as well as in hard-hit Haiti.

Here are some of our best Twitter photos and videos of the hard work our service members put in:

In North Carolina, swollen rivers are still cresting, causing heavy flooding in several areas. Many water rescues have been performed:

Including the rescue of a mother and her baby that was caught on camera:

South Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been helping the flood-ravaged state since Oct. 4, including evacuating citizens, like in this video:

Their efforts include helping first responders … even when it seems impossible:

And even just helping in small ways:

While this one isn’t from Twitter, we really liked it anyway.

A South Carolina National Guard CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter crew flies to deliver water and food supplies to the community of Seabrook in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Oct. 9, 2016, Beaufort County, S.C. South Carolina National Guard photo

A South Carolina National Guard CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter crew flies to deliver water and food supplies to the community of Seabrook in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Beaufort County, S.C., Oct. 9, 2016. South Carolina National Guard photo

In Florida, National Guardsmen have been busy with aerial and ground-based search-and-rescue missions since the hurricane began. They’ve been providing support at shelters and traffic control points, as well as going house to house to check on citizens who didn’t evacuate:

Members of the Florida National Guard’s CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package conduct search and rescue missions in St. Augustine, Oct. 7, 2016. Florida National Guard photo

Members of the Florida National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package conduct search and rescue missions in St. Augustine, Fla., Oct. 7, 2016. Florida National Guard photo

They’re also helping clean up so people can get home after the storm:

The Georgia National Guard has also been busy helping stranded drivers in flood waters:

Getting around, even when it’s tough:

Georgia National Guard soldiers of the Monroe-based 178th Military Police Company move to assist first responders and citizens of Savannah, Ga., Oct. 8, 2016. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Perry

Georgia Army National Guard soldiers with the Monroe-based 178th Military Police Company move to assist first responders and citizens of Savannah, Ga., Oct. 8, 2016. Georgia Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Perry

And clearing debris in the aftermath:

Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti, which is still trying to recover from a massive earthquake in 2010. Hundreds have died and many towns have been destroyed.

Three U.S. Navy ships have been sent to that region to support the Southern Command’s humanitarian efforts – USS Iwo Jima, USS Mesa Verde and the hospital ship USNS Comfort. Air support is also helping deliver much-needed aid to the area:

Thanks to all of our troops for your efforts at home and abroad!

For more on the DoD’s response to Hurricane Matthew, check out our Twitter page or the homepage of Defense.gov.

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