Governor Ron DeSantis launches Operation Blue Ridge
Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is rapidly deploying recovery assistance to North Carolina and Tennessee to help with Hurricane Helene’s impacts in Operation Blue Ridge. This multi-state agency response will include the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida State Guard, Florida National Guard, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, a Florida Law Enforcement Coordination Task Force, and a Law Enforcement Strike Team. Additionally, today Governor Ron DeSantis is launching Operation Blue Ridge to assist Floridians seeking rescue in Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Tennessee Valley. These individuals can fill out our assistance form at FloridaDisaster.org/OperationBlueRidge.
This mission will begin with the following assets and personnel:
Florida Division of Emergency Management
- One All-Hazards Incident Management Team
- One Communication Unit Strike Team
- One Telecommunications Emergency Response Task Force
- Ten Truck Loads of Water (which equates to 42, 550 gallons of water)
- Over 100 Starlinks
Florida State Guard
- Two Special Missions Search and Rescue Teams
- 8 search and rescue soldiers
- 1 aerial assessment pilot
Florida National Guard
- Two National Guard Response Teams
- 8 National Guard soldiers
- Equipment
- 2 CH-47 Chinooks and crew
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- One Law Enforcement Coordination Taskforce
- 7 FDLE agents and analysts
- One Law Enforcement Strike Team
- 7 FDLE agents and officers
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement
- 22-man team
- 2 Captains
- 2 Team Leaders
- 12 Officers/Investigators
- 1 LE PIO
- 1Mechanic
- Equipment
- 1 SOG trailer
- 4 High-water vehicles (buggy/high water UTV)
- 3 Airboats
- 3 Shallow Draft vessels
- 18 4×4 trucks
- Aviation
- Fixed wing aircraftÂ
- 1 pilot
- 1 tactical flight officerÂ
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation has made the following resources available to support the immediate inspection and assessment of transportation infrastructure maintained by NCDOT and TDOT:
- Emergency Cut and Toss Strike Teams
- Infrastructure Damage Assessment Teams
- Bridge Inspection Team (including structures impacted by flood waters)
- Temporary Bridge Materials
- Hydraulic Modeling Professional
- Project & Contract Management Teams
- Public Information Officer & Emergency Communications Technology
Florida stands ready to continue assisting our neighbors as they begin to recover from Hurricane Helene’s effects. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s strong disaster preparation and efficient response efforts have made it possible to provide much-needed assistance to other states.
Follow FDEM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for information relating to Hurricane Helene.
How about taking all the money and manpower and help Florida first. Stop trying to make political brownie points.
Rhonda is too busy helping keep Florida safe from drag queens, trans kids, and Disney.
Need help from hurricanes and the insurance companies? You’re on your own.
Alachua County Chronicle does have the best reporting in town. No sarcasm. But, lord have mercy, they love to spurt out his press releases as legitimate news.
Ya’ll some weird dorks.
Hey everybody, Florida man is a drag queen.
Florida Man:
You need help for your TDDS…
Trump Desantis derangement syndrome.
Your face diaper will protect you and so will your c19 booster…
Now go back to your safe place and be super hero.
Where is FEMA??? Sad that we have to help but happy we are. They are in serious need of help and FJB and Kackler is no where to be found to help.
Ahh now socialism is a good idea Got it.
Pedojoe is on the beach and lackluster vp Harris is campaigning
Oh come on Gov, a lot of your own people still don’t have power restored, let’s get Florida back on the grid before we start helping other states. Today is Tues and we’ve been without power for 5 days now. I don’t mind helping others and am very thankful to all the crews that came to Florida to help us get back up and running but take care of your on first Ron.