In response to Hurricane Helene, over 2,000 offenders have been evacuated from five prisons in North Carolina. This measure was necessary due to anticipated long delays in restoring essential services. The National Guard and federal troops have been mobilized to aid in recovery efforts across disaster-affected states, while family communications with relocated inmates have been restricted due to storm-related outages.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) has successfully evacuated and relocated over 2,000 offenders from five prisons across the state. This action, initiated on October 2, involved the transport of 405 female inmates on Monday, 841 male inmates on Tuesday, and an additional 805 male inmates on Wednesday from facilities primarily situated in western North Carolina. The evacuations were deemed necessary due to the anticipated prolonged restoration times for water and power services following the storm’s impact. Hurricane Helene, categorized as the 14th most powerful storm to strike the United States, has declared numerous states including North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama as disaster zones. President Biden responded to the crisis by mobilizing 1,000 active duty service members to assist with relief efforts, which include providing transportation over damaged areas and distributing essential supplies such as fuel and water. Additionally, approximately 700 members of the North Carolina National Guard are engaged in debris removal and search and rescue operations throughout the state. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the collaborative efforts undertaken by various responders, stating, “As emergency responders continue search and rescue operations in Western North Carolina, local, state, federal, private and non-profit partners continue to work in concert to provide food, water, shelter and other basic necessities for people in need.” Due to communication challenges caused by the storm, families of relocated inmates have been advised to refrain from making calls to check on their loved ones, as phone lines are reserved for emergencies. However, families can utilize the NCDAC’s Offender Locator tool to ascertain the current location of the inmates. The authorities have pledged to return all evacuated offenders to their original locations once it is deemed safe to do so, although no specific timeline for this return has been established. The state has also encouraged individuals affected by the storm to reach out for support through available channels for those in distress or looking to report missing persons.
The recent evacuations from North Carolina prisons were necessitated by Hurricane Helene, a significant natural disaster that has impacted extensive areas. This event not only raised concerns about inmate safety in prisons but also highlighted the broader emergency response needs across the affected states. The NCDAC’s actions reflect the urgency to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals during such crises, as well as the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local authorities to address the challenges posed by natural disasters.
In conclusion, the evacuation of over 2,000 inmates from North Carolina prisons due to Hurricane Helene underscores the severe impact of natural disasters on emergency management operations. The coordinated response from various levels of government affirms the commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals, including those incarcerated. As search and rescue operations continue in the affected regions, the state remains focused on restoring normalcy while providing necessary support to those in need.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
