#138 Aerial Recovery - The Hurricane Helene Disaster

Charlie Keebaugh, Jonathan Howard, and others discuss the severe and widespread impact of a natural disaster, revealing the urgent needs of the affected communities and the difficulties faced in providing aid.

The devastation is unprecedented, with entire towns and villages completely destroyed

The devastation from the natural disaster is unparalleled, with Keebaugh describing towns with significantly damaged infrastructure, suggesting widespread structural issues. Many residents face financial vulnerability due to a lack of insurance, complicating recovery efforts. Reports indicate that entire villages and towns have been wiped off the map. Houses near rivers were swept away in dramatic events, with rivers swelling to massive widths. At one location alone, 15 deaths have been reported.

Roads, bridges, and communication systems have been wiped out, isolating many residents

Infrastructure damage is severe and widespread, with Keebaugh talking about the necessity of leapfrogging firefighters to remove blockages and thereby clearing the roads between towns, like Perry to Steenhatchee. Howard underscores the dire state of communications, noting the absence of star link and other usual communication systems, with one telling sign being SOS messages painted and carved on a road that had washed out.

Bridges have been destroyed, and with one bridge collapse cascading to the next, a reported four major concrete bridges are completely demolished. Howard specifies that in Western North Carolina the roads are washed out for miles and impassable terrain precludes even traveling by foot or pack mule. This highlights the acute isolation of residents.

Residents are running out of basic necessities like food, water, medicine, and oxygen

Among the most pressing concerns is the scarcity of essential supplies. Elderly residents and other vulnerable populations are in extreme need, with oxygen supplies running critically low. One elderly lady was rescued just in time, with only one day's supply of oxygen remaining. Howard mentions the urgency for food and winter clothing as some residents might not have power restored until the end of the year, emphasizing the need for public supply drives.

Many elderly and vulnerable people are in dire need of urgent rescue and medical attention

People in urgent need of help include an 11-day-old baby and an elderly woman with just a day's worth of life left on her oxygen machine. This underscores the critical need for sustained rescue efforts and medical supplies for those in remote areas.

The rural, mountainous terrain makes it extremely difficult to access and deliver aid to those in need

The challenging terrain of the affected areas compounds difficulties in reaching and rescuing people. Howard talks about the ...

The response to disaster situations by government agencies such as FEMA and the National Guard, as well as the military's utilization of its assets, have been marked by a lack of preparedness, bureaucratic hurdles, and a focus on image over effective action.

Government agencies like FEMA and the National Guard are ill-prepared and under-resourced

Charlie Keebaugh describes the National Guard as doing their best but ultimately being "not trained" and "not equipped" for the emergency at hand. The personnel had to rely on civilian operators to assist them, such as when they needed help pulling one of their vehicles out of floodwaters. This indicates a lack of coordination and suitable resources which prevents effective response.

Lack of coordination, equipment, and training prevents them from effectively responding

Further underlining these challenges, FEMA is possibly underfunded and unprepared to handle the hurricane season, with contradictory statements suggesting confusion about the agency’s financial resources. Keebaugh condemns the response as complete incompetence, a product of the large bureaucratic system that lacks the necessary efficiency for disaster response.

Military assets and personnel are available but unable to be deployed due to bureaucratic red tape

Jonathan Howard, part of the Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit, expresses frustration about the lack of response and implies that there are red tape issues preventing deployment of resources like helicopters. These helicopters sit unused because they do not have the authority to fly, waiting on official orders—reflecting a disconnect between available resources and their mobilization.

Requests for assistance from specialized units like PJs and JSOC forces have been denied

Military units, including JSOC forces in Fayetteville, are available but can't receive orders to assist, even though they are eager to contribute. An 82nd Airborne member is relegated to merely flying colonels and VIPs, rather than being part of relief efforts. Howard also expected helicopter support for a major evacuation, including from a nursing home, but was told he could only get a helicopter in life-or-death situations, despite the clear need for rescues.

Politicians and officials are more focused on public relations than actually saving lives

The emphasis on public relations over effective relief efforts becomes stark when considering incidents like the reput ...

The recent collaborative efforts of communities during disasters highlight the critical role of local supportiveness and self-reliance, emphasizing the need for independent disaster preparedness and resilience plans.

Affected communities are banding together to support and protect each other

Jonathan Howard discusses the unity and protectiveness within communities, especially in rural areas, where residents are open-carrying for protection and supporting each other. Shawn Ryan echoes this sentiment by noting the communal protective measures being taken, which is a testament to the unity in these places.

Civilian volunteers and organizations like Aerial Recovery are filling the gaps left by the government

Howard also brings attention to the work of Aerial Recovery, a civilian organization comprised of former special operations personnel and individuals with emergency skills, that has taken initiative in disaster relief efforts. This group used its own resources, including aircraft, to respond to a disaster in North Carolina, highlighting their critical role in providing assistance.

Private individuals are also making substantial contributions with civilians using their own helicopters for rescues. For example, a baby and an elderly lady were saved due to the efforts of these private citizens. Moreover, private pilots like Mark and Zeb were essential in performing these rescues.

Following a video posted by Jonathan Howard, there was a noticeable increase in civilian assistance, with people bringing supplies and helping with evacuations. Operation Airdrop at Hickory was recognized for its effective control of air missions, and civilians like Howard described the Harley Davidson in Asheville as a hub for coordinating supplies like chainsaws and generators as if it was part of a special operations effort.

Civilians are also providing critical supplies, including essentials like medicine, [restricted term], EpiPens, and Starlink systems. Howard describes how a local Harley Davidson dealership and Operation Airdrop are coordinating effectively to aid relief efforts.

These self-organized efforts, such as the use of private helicopters ...

The discussion focuses on how politics and bureaucracy are creating significant barriers to effective aid delivery in disaster-stricken areas.

Local officials and outside contractors are engaged in turf wars, preventing cohesive rescue efforts

Civilian volunteers, like Jonathan Howard and his team, encounter obstacles due to local officials and outside contractors fighting for control. Howard describes interactions with a group leader from Michigan who claims authority and prevents Howard's team from providing assistance, indicating a potential turf war. The presence of temporary flight restrictions and arbitrary checkpoint blockades exacerbates issues, hampering the work of those ready to help.

Arbitrary restrictions, like flight restrictions and checkpoint blockades, are hampering aid delivery

The efforts to deliver crucial aid are further hindered by needless restrictions, such as those put in place due to President Joe Biden's flyover to assess hurricane damage, shutting down rescue operations. Arbitrary impositions, like the temporary flight restriction over Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, prevent aircraft from entering for reconnaissance. The challenges extend to the ground, as Howard's team faces checkpoint blockades enforced by the sheriff's department, allegedly upon orders from higher-up authorities.

Bureaucratic and legal requirements are being used as excuses to deny assistance from volunteers

Trained volunteers face frustrating bureaucratic hurdles. When Howard presents his credentials to assist in the disaster area, the local authority dismisses them, questioning his authorization and thus preventing necessary aid from reaching impacted areas. Likewise, Howard's Special Missions Unit (SMU) team encounters delays in completing weapon qualifications, which are legal requirements that impede their ability to respond swiftly during disaster relief operations.

Civilians with resources and capabilities are being turned away or prevented from helping

The narrative outlines instances where civilians with the capability and resources necessary to provide immediate assistance are met with resistance and blocked from helping. Civilians like Howard's team and Aerial Recovery confront difficulties due to bureaucratic issues, sidelining them despite their readiness to assist. The Michigan task force blocks skilled and capable volunteers and boasts about imposing the Temporary Flight Restrictions used to exclude those delivering aid.

The focus on public perception and credit-taking is coming at the expen ...