Coast Guard rescues elderly woman from flooded home in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence

Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Maccaferri, a rescue swimmer from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Atlantic City hoist an elderly woman from a flooded home in Pender County, North Carolina, Sept. 16, 2018. The woman had run out of medication and was unable to properly nourish herself. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Maccaferri/released)

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Coast Guard response operations are underway in the coastal portion of North Carolina, Saturday.

• Coast Guard helicopter crews from across the Coast Guard have rescued 426 people and 234 pets in North Carolina since Hurricane Florence began.
• Coast Guard shallow water response teams are clearing roads in the counties of Samson, Cumberland, Columbus and Lenoir to enable emergency crews and shallow water vessels to reach those in distress.
• Currently there are more than 3,000 Coast Guard members responding to Hurricane Florence.
• There are 35 shallow-water rescue boat teams deployed to North Carolina.
• The Coast Guard is currently conducting air operations based out of Elizabeth City and Savannah.
• Port Condition Zulu remains in effect for the ports of Wilmington, Morehead City, and Georgetown, S.C. In Port Condition Zulu the port is closed, and all port operations are suspended.
• The ports of Charleston, S.C., and Hampton Roads, VA, have been reopened, but mariners are encouraged to use extreme caution.
• Seven buoy-tending cutters have been directed to North Carolina to survey and open the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City as well as the North Carolina ferry system.
• Coast Guard helicopter crews from Air Station Savannah searched the entirety of the Georgia and South Carolina coast without finding anyone in need. These nine aircraft will be deployed to Myrtle Beach to begin operating in affected areas of North Carolina Sunday.

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Coast Guard aircrew assess South Carolina waterways after Tropical Storm Florence

Coast Guard crew members board an HC-144 Ocean Sentry in Charleston, South Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Waterways assessments were conducted to evaluate the damage caused by Tropical Storm Florence. (U.S. Coast Guard photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)

Coast Guard aircrew members fly over South Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Waterways assessments were conducted to evaluate the damage caused by Tropical Storm Florence. (U.S. Coast Guard photos Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)

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Coast Guard rescues flooding victims in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence

ELIZABETH CITY, NC — Aircrews aboard four HH-65 Dolphin and three MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters saved a total of 57 people and eight pets around North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Florence, Saturday.

The seven helicopter crews coordinated with emergency operations centers throughout the area during their search and rescue operations.

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Coast Guard aircrews participate in rescue of 57 people and 8 pets in wake of hurricane Florence, NC

An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, rescues multiple victims from flooding caused by Hurricane Florence in Onslow County, North Carolina Sept. 15, 2018. Hurricane Florence caused catastrophic flooding along the coast of North and South Carolina. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City/released)

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Coast Guard crews push north from Charleston for Tropical Storm Florence response

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater crew member, Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Vicchiaello, looks out over affected areas near Georgetown, South Carolina, during an overview flight, Sept. 14, 2018. Air crews are conducting overview and assessment flights to help familiarize themselves with the surrounding and affected areas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Romero).

U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Georgetown crew members walk a marina pier to assess harbor conditions Sept. 15, 2018, in Georgetown, South Carolina. The Coast Guard ANT Georgetown crew members deployed north from Charleston to maintain a heightened state of readiness during and after Tropical Storm Florence. (U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray).

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Coast Guard airplanes, helicopters fly out of potential Florence impact area in Elizabeth City, NC

Coast Guardsmen at Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, move air assets out of the area of potential impact of Hurricane Florence, Sept. 12, 2018. The Coast Guard is strategically moving assets to protect them from the storm’s impact, while ensuring they are in an optimal position for the response. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist Trey Clifton)

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — U.S. Coast Guard personnel at Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, move air assets out of the area of potential impact of Hurricane Florence, Sept. 12, 2018. The Coast Guard is strategically moving assets to protect them from the storm’s impact, while ensuring they are in an optimal position for the response. One HH-60 Jayhawk will shelter in place during the storm for immediate life-saving operations when severe weather conditions recede.

Charleston Coast Guard crews finalize preparations before Florence

Coast Guard crew members from Air Station Clearwater prepare an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter for deployment to Savannah, GA, Sept. 12, 2018. Crews are surging assets to the Charleston area for a Hurricane Florence post-storm response. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse.

The Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton departs Charleston, S.C., Sept. 11, 2018. Many assets have been relocated out of the path of Hurricane Florence to be able to respond after it passes. U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy Photo.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Coast Guard crews in Charleston are making final preparations Wednesday before Hurricane Florence makes landfall.

Crews are finalizing response plans and positioning assets for the quickest response after Florence passes.

"We are asking the public to heed the evacuation order issued by their state officials," said Capt. John Reed, the Coast Guard Sector Charleston Commander. "As soon as it's safe to operate, we will work with our local partners to asses the waterways and provide life-saving support."

The Coast Guard asks mariners to heed evacuation orders and follow a few tips to help mariners protect themselves, their families and their vessels:

• Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat if you know a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching.
• People in distress should use 911 to request assistance whenever possible. Social media should not be used to report life-threatening distress due to limited resources to monitor the dozens of social media platforms during a hurricane or
  large-scale rescue event.
• When removing your EPIRB from your vessel, ensure it does not inadvertently activate which could signal a false alert. Furthermore, once the severe weather has passed, mariners are reminded to ensure the EPIRB devices are placed back in their vessels before use.
• Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your vessel. Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise you on the best methods for securing your boat. Information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane can be found at the Coast Guard's Storm Center webpage.
• Take action now. The effects of a tropical storm/hurricane can be felt well in advance of the storm itself and can prevent the safe completion of preparations.
• Check with local authorities before entering any storm-damaged area. Do not rush to your boat. Boaters should not place themselves in danger to get to a boat.
• Do not try to reach your boat if it has been forced into the water and is surrounded by debris. Wait until authorities have made safe access available. Do not try to board a partially sunken boat; seek salvage assistance from a professional.
• Storms move quickly and are unpredictable. You can always replace a boat; you cannot replace a life.

The Coast Guard requests that the public not call Coast Guard facilities for weather information, but to listen to weather broadcasts. Important storm information can also be viewed at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

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Coast Guard Air Station Miami crews prepare for Florence

Two Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews fly to Savannah, Georgia to pre-stage for Hurricane Florence response efforts, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. The Coast Guard pre-stages its assets and personnel near areas predicted to be affected by hurricanes to be able to quickly and rapidly respond to post-storm emergencies to save lives. U.S. Coast Guard video by Lt. j.g. Kyle Unger.

Two Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews conduct fueling operations at Coast Guard Air Station Miami in preparation for their upcoming flight to Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Sept. 12, 2018. The two helicopter crews prepare to leave for Coast Guard Air Station Savannah to stage there in preparation for the Hurricane Florence response effort. Coast Guard Photo by Lt. j.g. Kyle Unger.

Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crewmembers conduct an asset pre-check for their upcoming flight to Coast Guard Air Station Savannah at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Sept. 12, 2018. Two helicopter crews prepare to leave for Coast Guard Air Station Savannah to stage there in preparation for the Hurricane Florence response effort. Coast Guard Photo by Lt. j.g. Kyle Unger.

Coast Guard Air Station Miami crewmembers conduct an asset pre-check for an upcoming flight to Coast Guard Air Station Savannah at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Sept. 12, 2018. Two helicopter crews prepare to leave for Coast Guard Air Station Savannah to stage there in preparation for the Hurricane Florence response effort. Coast Guard Photo by Lt. j.g. Kyle Unger.

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