California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the deployment of state resources to assist East Coast states facing multiple Atlantic storms, including a Category 4 hurricane and Tropical Cyclone Nine, which could become a hurricane early next week. The cyclone poses a threat to Georgia, the Carolinas, and other mid-Atlantic regions.
“California stands with our fellow Americans in times of need — just as our fellow Americans have done for us. We thank the brave search and rescue crews who are heading to the East Coast ahead of these storms,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The state is sending five Urban Search and Rescue experts: two from California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 (Orange County Fire Department), one from CA-TF6 (Riverside City Fire Department), and two from CA-TF7 (Sacramento Fire Department). These personnel will provide advanced planning and coordination support to help local and federal agencies manage storm impacts.
Governor Newsom noted that while aid is being sent out of state, California’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is keeping resources available for emergencies within California. Earlier this week, he directed the predeployment of fire and rescue teams in response to ongoing threats such as critical fire weather conditions and heavy rain over recent burn scars.
“California is proud to support our partners on the East Coast with highly trained emergency personnel to assist in their efforts,” said Nancy Ward, Director of Cal OES. “At the same time, we remain fully prepared here at home and are ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise.”
Since 1992, California has deployed resources to several major disasters across the country and internationally. Past deployments include responses to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Iniki; the 1994 Northridge Earthquake; September 11 attacks; Hurricane Katrina; Hurricane Rita; Hurricane Ian; Camp Fire in Paradise; Oklahoma City Bombing; Montecito Mudslides; flooding in Texas earlier this year; as well as fires in New Mexico and Oregon.
