Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills took matters into his own hands and, along with other good Samaritans, began a relief effort in North Carolina this week, providing critical assistance to victims of Hurricane Helen and helping victims of the disaster. Delivered necessities to those in need.
“It makes sense for Americans to come together in times of grief, conflict, and hardship, and I don't think that's really changed,” Mills, an Army veteran, said in an interview on Fox News Digital. “So instead of being defined by the federal government, we are defined by ‘We the People.’”
This isn't Mills' first time working on a rescue mission. In addition to providing relief to Israelis since October 7, he also provided assistance during Hurricanes Nicole and Ian in his area, and 23 Americans and 59 others in Haiti. rescued mentally and physically disabled children. He also conducted one of the first successful land rescues during the Afghanistan withdrawal, totaling approximately 20 to 30 rescues in the region in 2021 alone.
Rescue efforts underway in North Carolina after Hurricane Helen's 'historic' flooding and landslides
Congressman Cory Mills launched search and rescue efforts for Hurricane Helen victims. (Courtesy of Rep. Cory Mills)
“The federal government's bureaucracy makes it too slow for the pace at which emergencies and often disruptions actually occur,” Mills said. “So since Afghanistan and the failed withdrawal in 2021, more and more civilian groups, many of them former military and law enforcement, have come together to pick up the slack and help where needed.”
Mills has partnered with private helicopter company Mercury One to deliver food, water, diapers, nonperishable food, insulin and oxygen since Monday. Mills said he and a small group have already delivered thousands of pounds of supplies to the hardest-hit areas in the region.
The deputy also helped lead search and rescue operations in Bernardsville, Poplar, Burnsville and surrounding areas using two helicopters. He performed a lifting procedure on an elderly man on Tuesday, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Helen should seek help from their pastors. franklin graham and samaritan's wallet
Congressman Cory Mills delivers essential items to Hurricane Helen victims. (Courtesy of Rep. Corey Mills)
“Anytime there's any kind of devastation or the American people are at risk, obviously that gets my attention and we need to be able to respond to it in some way,” Mills said. . “As an elected official, whether you live in Florida's 7th Congressional District or anywhere in the country, I feel something like a responsibility to do everything I can to help the American people. .”
Mills and his group are working with several response teams on the ground to bring much-needed aid to people who are entering their fifth day without essentials, including cell phone service. , said it planned to target several different areas.
Rescue teams are also being dispatched to eastern Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and parts of Florida, areas also devastated by the storm.
Click here for the latest FOX News report on the Helen mess.
Congressman Cory Mills delivers essential items to Hurricane Helen victims. (Courtesy of Rep. Corey Mills)
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Hundreds of thousands more remain without power or cell phone service, delaying local residents from seeking help or contacting loved ones affected by the hurricane. There is.
The number of Helen's deaths in North Carolina and Tennessee is unknown as authorities continue to respond and contact families before releasing official numbers, but data roaming and a lack of cell phone service make that difficult. I'm doing it.
Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
