ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota will send additional personnel and supplies to South Carolina to assist in recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

“In the wake of this devastating hurricane season, Minnesota will continue to provide every possible resource to support communities across the south,” said Governor Walz. “I am proud of our dedicated emergency responders and public servants. They are making a critical difference.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will deploy 10 staff members to operate heavy equipment and provide transportation support. They will also provide trucks, trailers, nurse tanks, chainsaws, protective equipment, and communications equipment.

In response to landfall of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Governor Walz signed Emergency Executive Orders 24-10 and 24-12, authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to provide emergency assistance in Florida and North Carolina under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Eleven soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, were deployed to North Carolina and thirteen airmen from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing were deployed to Florida. The airmen from the Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing have since moved to North Carolina to provide emergency assistance.

The St. Louis County Mobile Command Post and the Minnesota All Hazard Incident Management Team were also deployed to North Carolina and South Carolina. Following an additional EMAC request, ten MnDOT team members from northern Minnesota have been deployed to assist with recovery efforts in South Carolina. Their deployment includes the provision of supplies to assist with debris removal. They will continue recovery efforts in South Carolina through the end of October.