NEW ORLEANS, La.--U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in New Orleans is taking an active role in Hurricane Florence relief efforts throughout the Carolinas.
are briefed by Charlotte Acting Area Port
Director Barry Chastain prior to
deployment into Wilmington NC to
provide humanitarian assistance in areas
affected by Hurricane Florence.
Photo Credit: SBPA Robert Bushell
Teams from the New Orleans Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol-New Orleans Sector, and New Orleans Air and Marine Branch (NOAMB) mobilized this week and traveled to the East Coast in the wake of the Category 2 hurricane, which dumped more than 30 inches of rain and tropical-storm-force winds along the Carolina coastline Friday night, leaving seven dead and thousands without power.
CBP New Orleans joined local, state, and federal first responders in providing emergency response, law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and tactical communication support in North and South Carolina. They joined the Jacksonville OFO in supporting the Area Command Post (CP) established by the Atlanta Office of Field Operations under FEMA Region IV to support CBP Hurricane response missions.
“As a partner in the community and due to its strategic location along the Central Gulf of Mexico, the New Orleans Field Office is aware of and prepares for natural disasters such as hurricanes,” said Steven Stavinoha, New Orleans Director of Field Operations. “The resilience of CBP personnel along the Gulf Coast is exemplified in their unwavering dedication to volunteer and assist with emergency responses and business resumption activities during times of national crisis, such as Hurricane Florence.”
Although Florence has been downgraded to a tropical storm, flash flooding and high winds remain a threat, making CBP assistance critical. An active partner with FEMA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and NORAD, CBP helped rescue more than 1,300 people from flooding and destruction during Hurricane Harvey last year.
“These are the times that exemplify the power of the unified efforts of combined resources from DHS, CBP, and other federal, state and local partners,” said Donald F. Yando, Atlanta Director of Field Operations CP Incident Commander. “The Atlanta Field Office appreciates the incredible response and recovery efforts directed to the areas impacted by Florence.”
For the latest on CBP hurricane relief efforts, follow CBP on Twitter @CBPSoutheast, @CBPFlorida, and @CBPMidAtlantic.