Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are helping residents affected by Helene regroup in western North Carolina.
On Saturday, their main objective was clearing mud and debris from homes and stores along the Broad River in Chimney Rock.
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"I keep telling my guys, and I stand by it, you know the Soldiers’ Creed," Staff Sgt. Kyle Clark said. "It’s our opportunity to show the people of the United States what we bring to the table and how we can help them."
The soldiers with the 101st Airborne, located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, are part of a group of soldiers called in by President Joe Biden to assist with recovery efforts in the region devastated by torrential flooding during Helene.
"We always go overseas and help other countries, but now we can show the American citizens that we’re here to help," Clark said.
FEMA is also at work providing generators for critical facilities such as hospitals and first responder centers. The soldiers used several methods to get the equipment on the ground to help.
"We mobilized roughly on the 6th and then went up to Greenville," Clark said. "Half was air assaults, and half of us drove the equipment up. We stayed the night in Greenville, bounced to Marion, where our headquarters is, and from Marion, we’re branching out to local towns that need help."
While they arrived in different ways, they all have one goal.
"Our job is to help people and show them we’re here to be helpful," Clark said.
Soldiers with the 101st Airborne said they have no timetable on when they’re leaving the state, but they want to continue serving the people of North Carolina.