TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa-based nonprofit Project Dynamo is helping find and evacuate those stranded in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene’s destruction.
The veteran-led organization, founded in 2021, offers humanitarian search-and-rescue assistance worldwide.
A dozen Project Dynamo volunteers, including a mounted horse team, are going to western North Carolina to partner with additional volunteers in one of the hardest-hit areas of the United States.
“The full extent of the devastation from the flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene is still unknown, but with more than 1,000 people stranded in the mountains, and significant operational and logistical hurdles, we are bringing a highly capable team, which has experience conducting search-and-rescue operations in some of the worst possible conditions,” Project DYNAMO’s president and CEO Mario Duarte said. “We’re eager to lend our expertise to those in need and help get these folks to safety.”
Hurricane Helene has claimed at least 149 lives. The Biden Administration predicts there are at least 600 more people unaccounted for across several states.
However, officials say more than 1,000 missing person reports have been filed in Buncombe County, North Carolina, which is home to the city of Asheville.
Project Dynamo is providing vehicles and trailers with supplies and search-and-rescue equipment, two recreational vehicles to serve as temporary command posts and several horses to help volunteers navigate areas inaccessible by vehicles.
A specialized infrared drone will also be provided to help locate people stranded by flooding, the organization said.
Project Dynamo has jumped into action for several weather and conflict-related events, including reuniting a mother with her five children from Gaza, helping bring Americans home from Ukraine, and saving people trapped by Hurricane Ian’s impact.
The nonprofit and its team members have rescued more than 7,000 people from war zones and natural disasters to date, the nonprofit said.
