More than 13,000 soldiers are on call to provide search and rescue, temporary shelter and supplies to residents of North and South Carolina affected by Hurricane Florence, according to a Sunday release.

Regular, National Guard and Reserve units activated over the weekend as the storm slammed into the East Coast, bringing days of high winds and rains that left roads and neighborhoods flooded and without power or access to transportation.

“All roads in [North Carolina] are at risk of floods and can be washed away in a matter of minutes,” the release said.

Along with personnel, the Army committed about 300 helicopters and other aircraft for search and rescue efforts, along with about 30 watercraft and a few thousand high-water vehicles.

For those who have evacuated, 4,500 cots and 200 medical beds were available. Along with 18 water purification systems, the Army Corps of Engineers had more than 200 generators ready.

“For the generators, Temporary Emergency Power personnel have completed seven inspections and four installations in NC,” the release said. “Teams are staged and standing by to receive requests in South Carolina.”

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One of those affected was Hoke County, North Carolina’s water treatment facility in Raeford, near Fort Bragg.

Meanwhile in South Carolina, Guard members and USACE personnel were placing sandbags along the highway near Myrtle Beach to keep back water from an overflowing nearby river.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

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