At U.S. Marine base, families plead for housing help after Florence
Reuters
Andrea Januta
September 29, 2018
Most of Camp Lejeune’s housing is run by Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, or AMCC, a partnership between Australia-based Lendlease Group, Boston-based WinnCompanies and the U.S. Navy. All the homes profiled in this article are managed by AMCC.
Jennifer Maher, pregnant in her third trimester, prepares cleaning supplies in an attempt to clean up mold after suffering severe damage to her home post-Hurricane Florence at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, U.S., September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Andrea Januta
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Two weeks after Hurricane Florence deluged the U.S. East Coast’s largest Marine Corps base with raging waters and dangerous winds, some military families say they are still residing in unlivable conditions and awaiting help from the base’s private housing manager.
Some, like Jennifer Maher, said they feel unsafe in their Camp Lejeune homes but were told they will not be moved because assessment crews determined their houses are habitable.
That did not work for Maher, pregnant in her third trimester and living with her husband and 2-year-old son. When she returned home last Friday, she opened the door to the stench of mold, she said while showing the wreckage to a visiting reporter. Then she saw the ceiling had collapsed in their bedroom and garage.
“I’m pregnant and I can smell the mold,” said Maher, whose husband is a Navy corpsman stationed at Lejeune. “There’s no way I could bring a newborn home and let her breathe this in.”
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In This Military Wedding, Love Conquers All...And Hurricane Florence
WLTX 19 News
Author: Alicia Neaves
September 21, 2018
The young couple learned they'll never be alone. At every corner of our nation and in many cities around the world, thousands of their military brothers and sisters will be there should they ever need a hand.
Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- When military families need a hand, the entire military community springs into action.
Marine Corporal Jordan Taylor is stationed at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. His fiancee Julia lives in Texas.
When Hurricane Florence pounded the Carolina coast, Jordan, 23, returned home to Fort Jackson.
"He was evacuated and he came home to be with us," said Jordan's mother, Stacy Taylor.
Stacy says Jordan is scheduled to report back to Jacksonville in October.
His wedding is scheduled for November.
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Good Samaritans help military Humvee submerged in Florence floodwaters
ABC 11 News
Gary Cooper
September 11, 2018
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- What happens when the rescuers need rescuing?
That's what happened in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Saturday after rains from Hurricane Florence flooded the city.
A marine and two first responders from Onslow County tried to get a military Humvee through a very flooded Half Moon Creek.
And when the Humvee didn't make it, several good Samaritans, who were taking supplies from back to the other side of the creek, jumped in to help.
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"Cajun Navy" volunteers help evacuate North Carolina nursing home residents
CBS News
September 17, 2018
A group of volunteers all too familiar with devastating flooding have gone to North Carolina to help in the aftermath of Florence. Cajun Navy Relief and Rescue is a non-profit group of volunteers from across the country. The group was created after flooding hit southern Louisiana in 2016.
CBS News was with the team in Lumberton as they evacuated 40 people from Highland Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Many of the residents were bedridden.
"Yeah, we are risking our lives, but this is worth it," said Chris Russell, one of the volunteers.
It took five hours to rescue the residents and deliver them to area hospitals.
"I think what we were able to accomplish tonight, was to give these people some dignity, holding their hand, asking them if they would like to somebody to pray with them," said Allen Lenard, another volunteer. "As much as I believe were were a blessing to those people, I know as a matter of fact, that they were a blessing to me tonight."
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NC National Guard has ‘historic’ response to Hurricane Florence
Fayetteville Observer
Drew Brooks
September 14, 2018
North Carolina National Guard troops are working alongside first responders as Hurricane Florence makes its way inland.
Officials said they know the worst is yet to come as the state prepares for more flooding and high winds.
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division prepare themselves and their equipment for the potential impacts of Hurricane Florence at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga September 13. In addition to the Army's preparation happening on bases, Hunter Army Airfield has become a staging point for U.S. Coast Guard helicopters who mat be called on to assist in hurricane response efforts.
“We still have just over 2,800 National Guardsmen on state active duty,” said Lt. Col. Matt DeVivo, a spokesman for the NCNG.
That is the most troops ever activated ahead of a major storm.
“We’ve never had this many already ready to respond,” DeVivo said.
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