Over 2,000 inmates have been evacuated from North Carolina prisons following Hurricane Helene. The NCDAC reported that this precautionary measure was taken due to the anticipated long restoration times for essential services. President Biden has mobilized active duty soldiers to assist in response efforts, and Governor Cooper emphasized the collaborative recovery efforts underway.
Over 2,000 inmates have been evacuated from various prisons in North Carolina as a precautionary measure in response to Hurricane Helene’s impact. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) announced that more than 800 offenders were moved from two facilities in western North Carolina on October 2. Total evacuations included 405 women on Monday, 841 men on Tuesday, and 805 men on Wednesday. This action was deemed necessary due to the lengthy anticipated restoration times for water and power services following the storm. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which is recorded as the 14th most powerful storm to hit the United States, has prompted disaster declarations for North Carolina and several other states including Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. To support ongoing relief efforts, President Biden activated 1,000 active duty soldiers across the affected states to assist with a range of emergency tasks including transportation over damaged terrain and providing essential supplies. Additionally, North Carolina has deployed 700 National Guard members to facilitate debris removal, airlifts, and search and rescue operations. Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the collaboration among various agencies during the crisis, stating that emergency responders are actively engaged in search and rescue operations and that substantial efforts are being made to restore critical infrastructure such as power and water services. In light of the communication outages in western North Carolina, families of relocated inmates have been instructed not to call the prisons, thus ensuring that phone lines remain available for emergencies. Those seeking information about the relocation of loved ones can utilize NCDAC’s Offender Locator tool. Furthermore, all inmates will be returned to their original facilities when it is deemed safe, although a timeline for this restoration remains uncertain. As recovery efforts continue, the state encourages individuals in need of assistance or those affected by the storm to contact NC 211 or the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
The evacuations of inmates in North Carolina were prompted by Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm that caused considerable damage in several states, leading to disaster declarations. The NCDAC took action to ensure the safety of offenders in prisons located in areas significantly affected by the storm. The comprehensive response involves federal and state support, including the mobilization of active duty military personnel and National Guard members to assist with various emergency operations. The governor and local agencies are coordinating efforts to address immediate needs such as food and shelter while also working on restoring essential services disrupted by the storm.
In summary, the evacuation of over 2,000 inmates in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene illustrates the extensive safety measures taken in the face of natural disasters. With ongoing efforts from multiple levels of government and community partners, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of both inmates and residents affected by the storm. The situation highlights the necessity for proper communication and planning during emergencies, as well as the critical role of various agencies in disaster response and recovery.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
