National Guard mobilizes in Cape Fear to help with winter storm

The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) has mobilized resources across eastern, central, and western North Carolina, assisting Emergency Management ahead of the winter storm.

The NCNG has approximately activated 341 personnel and employed 127 vehicles in response to this year’s first winter storm.

This includes:

· NCNG teams equipped with High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles capable of traversing hazardous conditions to augment emergency responders.

· Distribution teams rapidly provide equipment and critical supplies to staging locations, ensuring continuity of communication and a sustained response effort.

· Maintenance and recovery teams capable of assisting the Department of Transportation.

The NCNG is actively moving personnel and equipment to areas where forecasts suspect the most impact from this storm. Guardsmen are integrated with local EM and first responders to ensure that they can provide the most effective and efficient support possible.

The Guard’s Captain Daniel Erikson tells WWAY TV3 News it’s mobilized in Clinton, Edenton, and Farmville, totaling about 105 people in 44 vehicles.  That will help cover Cape Fear and up the coast.   He says the focus is on roving patrols, sticking to larger main corridors and avenues, and assisting stranded drivers. Captain Daniel Erickson says the National Guard trains for these types of emergencies.  “We’re here to help with really anything that our fellow North Carolinians ask of us, particularly moving personnel from homes to safe areas, whether that be hospitals, warming shelters, or moving commodities such as food, water, blankets, uh, to those that are in need.”