Pamlico County Special Operations Team helping to rescue, evacuate people in storm-ravaged western NC

CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (WNCT) – Pamlico County Special Operations Swiftwater Team spent Saturday in one of the hardest hit parts of western North Carolina where the damage is described as “unimaginable.”

According to a Facebook post from Pamlico County Emergency Management, the team arrived in the area Friday, assisting with ongoing rescues and evacuations in flood-ravaged areas around Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Rutherford County.  The group is part of “Type II asset,” equipped with communications equipment.

Three of team’s rescue members reached Chimney Rock by abandoning their boat and swimming the rest of the way.

“Our team was the first one from outside the village to reach Chimney Rock FD and begin assisting with rescues and evacuations,” the post stated.

The group rescued several people and successfully evacuated over one hundred people to safety Saturday.

“No electronics, no cells, very little radio and everyone pulled together today including our State and Military aircraft, often without contact or instructions. We are back at it tomorrow,” the post said.

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