Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

As Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc across the Eastern seaboard, a lack of federal and state leadership has prompted Florida's Volunteer Guard Unit to embark on rescue and recovery operations.

As Hurricane Helene's deadly wrath continues to impact communities, a group of volunteers from Florida's Volunteer Guard Unit has emerged as a beacon of hope in the face of what they describe as a "complete failure" of leadership at the state and federal levels.

Led by Jon Howard of the Florida Guard Special Missions Unit, Charlie Keebaugh of Aerial Recovery, pilot Mark Roseman, and civilian pilot Zeb Hadley, the team has been conducting search and rescue operations in devastated areas of North Carolina.

Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

Howard, speaking to Fox News, voiced his dismay at the lack of support and leadership from both the Biden-Harris administration and the North Carolina authorities. "There's just a complete failure of weak leadership here in North Carolina, the federal government... It takes mind-strong leadership in Florida to send us up here," he said.

"If it wasn't for DeSantis sending the state guard special missions unit up here, this never even would have happened. But there's just no support here. There's no leadership."

Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

Howard's frustrations were echoed by Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), who slammed the Biden administration for its lack of response to the crisis. "There's been a complete pattern of abandonment under Biden and Harris," Mills stated.

"This administration, what the pattern is, you have to shame them into doing what is right."

Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

Amidst the severe criticism, President Biden has pledged resources and support for recovery efforts, including deploying active-duty soldiers. However, critics maintain that these actions are still insufficient to address the urgent needs of those affected by the hurricane.

The Florida volunteers' efforts have been instrumental in providing aid to stranded individuals, including the miraculous rescue of an 11-day-old baby who was in dire need of oxygen.

Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

"I reached out to my state guard team that was on the ground, didn't know their exact location," Howard recalled. "And then my paramedic, Paul, he was actually a few minutes away from there, and he was able to rush over there to stabilize that baby to get ready for LifeFlight while the rest of the team, Mark and HLZ, sent us imagery that way Mark could put the helicopter down."

The baby's mother and grandmother were also taken on board the helicopter and transported to Asheville Airport, where medical personnel were waiting to provide urgent care. Thanks to the swift actions of the volunteers, the newborn's life was saved.

Florida Volunteers Step In Amidst Scathing Criticism of Hurricane Helene Response

Keebaugh, of Aerial Recovery, also highlighted the importance of their efforts in preventing human trafficking in the wake of the disaster. "We also respond to disasters because a lot of people don't realize when there's a natural disaster or a manmade disaster, human traffickers show up... What's five more? That's the attitude of the traffickers," he said.

"They will come up, they'll come to shelters. They'll come to your homes."

As of this report, the death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached over 224 people, primarily in North Carolina. With numerous individuals still missing, the volunteers are tirelessly searching for survivors amidst challenging terrain and infrastructure damage.

"Seeing devastation like you've never seen," said Roseman. "People trapped. Roads are just demolished. There's no way in and out... There's no communication. The only lifeline is just coming in there, either flying the sick out or either us taking in supplies, so it's just a lot. I've never seen devastation like this."