Delaware, New Jersey National Guards deploy to Florida to help with Hurricane Milton response
The Delaware National Guard and New Jersey National Guard are deploying nearly 200 soldiers and dozens of vehicles to Florida to help with the state's Hurricane Milton response.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Gulf Coast.
The DNG announced Tuesday that it is sending about 100 service members and 40 vehicles to Florida, while the NJNG said Wednesday that it is sending about 80 soldiers and another 30 military vehicles.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Florida as a second massive storm in as many weeks bears down on our nation's Gulf Coast," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
"This is another example of how the Delaware National Guard continues to step up in times of need to support communities here in the First State and our neighbors around the country who need our help," Delaware Gov. John Carney said in a statement announcing the DNG's mission. "I want to thank all our Delaware Guard members and their families for their service. We'll be thinking of and praying for all of the response teams and everyone in the path of the storm."
Delaware National Guard Maj. Bernie Kale told CBS News Philadelphia that servicemembers are leaving Thursday morning for a minimum 10-day deployment, though they could stay longer if needed. The deployed groups will help clear roads and distribute supplies, and soldiers from New Jersey will also help transport Florida National Guard members in the area.
I want to thank all our Delaware Guard members and their families for their service. We’ll be thinking of and praying for all of the response teams, and everyone in the path of the storm.
— Governor John Carney (@JohnCarneyDE) October 8, 2024
Delaware Valley emergency crews responding to Milton
Along with the Delaware National Guard, about 40 PECO crew members and 26 utility vehicles left for Florida on Oct. 8 to help restore power and repair damage from Hurricane Milton.
PECO said that power outages will likely affect thousands of people in the aftermath of the storm.
"Every storm is different," spokesperson Greg Smore said as PECO crews prepared to leave Tuesday, "but we've responded to many hurricanes down in the Florida area, down in Texas as well. But what they're seeing is really severe tree damage as you would expect, a ton of rain so a lot of flooding conditions that they're experiencing as well."
PECO crews were also deployed to assist with the response to Hurricane Helene.
Red Cross New Jersey currently has more than 35 disaster workers dispatched across the southeastern United States, some of whom are helping those affected by Helene. On Monday, the organization told CBS News Philadelphia that other workers arrived in Florida earlier in the week to help house people displaced by Milton.