EDS crews deployed for over 200 days help victims of Hurricane Helene

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Emergency Disaster Services is experiencing their longest deployment in history.

The team is still helping keep first responders afloat as they pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene.

“It’s just devastation. It’s a complete loss. It’s crazy that water can be that powerful,” EDS Senior Project Manager for North Carolina, Matt Hinton says.

Emergency Disaster Services crews are currently in North Carolina.

“From one top of the state to the south end border that touches both Tennessee and South Carolina were wiped out,” EDS Director of Communications and Logistics, Matt Daley says.

AP reports the flooding and destruction from the natural disaster has caused at least $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in western North Carolina.

Many are still without homes. But, Daley says recovery efforts are moving quickly.

“People are starting to elect to not stay in, like, their RVs or their tents and they’re moving into the public shelter ailments or their personal accommodations, so that’s a good thing,” Daley says.

Hurricane Helene made landfall nearly 60 days ago. But, EDS crews have been on the road long before then, responding to storms and wildfires across the nation.

Some have been deployed for over 200 days.

Matt Hinton is one of those men.

“It’s tough, but family supports me, they support what I do. I’ve always been in the public service aspect of things all throughout my life,” he says.

Hinton has been moving back and forth between three base camps in the state.

Although EDS mainly works to provide base camps for first responders, he’s been out in the community as well.

“It feels good to know that these people are resting assured knowing that hey, Emergency Disaster Services is on site,” Hinton says.

Hinton and other crew members are staying out on deployment through Thanksgiving and potentially until the end of the year.

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