Rep. Cory Mills Leads Rescue Mission in North Carolina After Hurricane Helene: 'Defined by We the People'

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida's 7th District, has once again demonstrated his commitment to public service by launching a rescue mission in North Carolina. This initiative, which began earlier this week, is part of a broader effort to provide critical assistance to those affected by the hurricane.

Mills, an Army combat veteran, has a history of involvement in rescue and relief efforts. He has previously provided support during Hurricanes Nicole and Ian in his own district, rescued Americans and disabled children in Haiti, and conducted overland rescues during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021.

The Rescue Mission

Partnering with a private helicopter company, Mercury One, Mills and his team have been delivering essential supplies such as food, water, diapers, non-perishables, insulin medication, and oxygen to the hardest-hit areas in North Carolina. The mission has utilized two helicopters and has already delivered thousands of pounds of supplies since Monday.

The rescue efforts have been focused in areas such as Bernardsville, Poplar, and Burnsville, where Mills and his team have also conducted search and rescue operations. One notable operation involved a hoist rescue of an elderly man on Tuesday.

Community and Federal Response

Mills emphasized the importance of community action in times of crisis, stating, 'It makes sense that Americans come together in times of grief and strife and difficulty, and I don't think that's ever really changed. I mean, we're not defined by the federal government, we're defined by 'We the People''.

He also highlighted the limitations of federal response mechanisms, noting that 'the federal government, with its bureaucracy, moves too slow for the pace in which emergencies and often chaos actually moves'. This sentiment is echoed by the increasing involvement of civilians, particularly former military and law enforcement personnel, in disaster response efforts.

The impact of Hurricane Helene has been widespread, with hundreds of thousands of people remaining without power and cell service in North Carolina, Tennessee, eastern Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. The lack of communication services has complicated the response efforts and the ability to determine the exact death toll.

Broader Impact and Future Efforts

Rep. Mills' actions are part of a larger trend of community-driven response initiatives. These efforts often involve collaboration between local response teams and private organizations to fill the gaps left by slower federal responses. For instance, cargo planes have been deployed to transport supplies to affected areas, such as Asheville.

Mills' commitment to public service extends beyond disaster relief. He has introduced several bills in Congress, including the H.R.7586 to establish a Department of State Domestic Protection Mission related to unmanned aircraft systems, and the AFFAIR Act, which addresses various judicial matters.

For more information on disaster response and the role of community initiatives, you can explore the concept of disaster response and how it is evolving with community involvement.

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