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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Contact ASPR Press Office
ASPRMedia@hhs.gov
aspr.hhs.gov/newsroom
X:@ASPRgov


ASPR medical teams in North Carolina support state, local health care services in aftermath of Hurricane Helene



The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) medical teams are providing care across western North Carolina to support hospitals and shelters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

Approximately 300 medical, public health, and disaster response personnel are deployed to support North Carolina communities as part of the government-wide response to the devastation caused by the hurricane.

“ASPR has deployed our dedicated medical professionals to assist North Carolina residents impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “We are fully committed to supporting North Carolina in the aftermath of the storm until the state's health care systems return to normal operations.”

Personnel from NDMS currently are providing care in North Carolina’s Buncombe, Catawba, Mitchell, and Polk counties: 

  • In Buncombe County, a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is providing 24-hour surge support in medical tents for the influx of patients arriving to the Emergency Department at Mission Hospital in Asheville. 
  • In Catawba County, a Health and Medical Task Force (HMTF) is providing care at a state medical support shelter in Hickory.
  • In Mitchell County, a DMAT is providing 24-hour surge support in medical tents outside the Emergency Department at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.  
  • In Polk County, a HMTF is supporting a second state medical shelter in Mill Springs. 
  • An assessment team from the NDMS’ Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team is also in North Carolina providing fatality management support with additional assets moving forward to stage in the impacted area.

Two additional DMATs are deployed to support any future medical missions in the hardest hit areas. ASPR will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to identify any medical assistance needs in any other states affected by Hurricane Helene, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. 

NDMS teams travel with federal medical equipment and supplies. As of today, HHS has deployed approximately 60 trucks – 386 tons – of equipment and supplies for NDMS teams’ use in providing patient care.

ASPR will assist North Carolina until the state determines federal public health and medical assistance is no longer needed.

Note to editors/producers: Imagery of NDMS teams and equipment is available on ASPR's Hurricane Helene Flickr album.


About ASPR:

Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ASPR leads the nation's medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and other public health emergencies. ASPR collaborates with hospitals, healthcare coalitions, biotech firms, community members, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and other partners across the country to improve readiness and response capabilities.



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