The Defense Department is actively supporting communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in the Southeast. The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida and has since weakened to a tropical storm as it moves further north into Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of potential historic and catastrophic flooding as Helene continues along its path. The Florida National Guard has deployed thousands of guardsmen, vehicles, aircraft, and boats to assist with emergency response missions in 21 counties throughout the state.
In addition to Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama have also activated hundreds of guard personnel in response to the storm. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has approved requests from the Florida National Guard and Georgia National Guard for dual status commanders in each state. These commanders are jointly managed by the Northcom commander and the chief of the National Guard Bureau, allowing them to serve in federal and state status simultaneously. The Defense Department remains prepared to support response efforts as necessary in this rapidly evolving situation.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also addressed reports of Israel’s strike in Lebanon, emphasizing that the United States was not involved in the operation and was not notified in advance. Secretary Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, after the operation had already begun. The Pentagon is still assessing the event and has no further information to provide at the time of the briefing. This situation highlights the complex and dynamic nature of international relations and the need for ongoing communication and coordination between nations.
Overall, the Defense Department is actively engaged in supporting communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in the Southeast and responding to other international developments such as the Israel-Lebanon situation. The department’s readiness to assist in emergency response efforts demonstrates its commitment to protecting and supporting the welfare of the American people and its allies. As the situation continues to evolve, the Defense Department remains vigilant and prepared to provide assistance as needed to address the impacts of the storm and other potential challenges that may arise.
