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Michigan State Police Deploys Public Information Officer to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery in Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2024
LANSING, Mich. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) has deployed Public Information Officer Spl/Lt. Kim Vetter to Virginia to assist with public information efforts following Hurricane Helene. The deployment is a response to a request made by Virginia for out-of-state support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
Much of southwestern Virginia is recovering after the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, landslides, and widespread damage. Floodwaters reached 20 feet in some areas, destroying homes, roads, infrastructure, and farmland, and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
“The effects of Hurricane Helene will be felt for years to come,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “We are proud of our efforts in Michigan to help several states to our south, as they recover and bring life-saving resources to those who lost everything during this historic storm.”
“I look forward to the opportunity to support Virginia with communications during their disaster response. Making sure accurate, timely and relevant information is disseminated to disaster survivors is critical in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Spl/Lieutenant Vetter. “I am thankful that my training and experience in my 24-year career with MSP have prepared me for this challenge.”
The 16-day deployment of Spl/Lieutenant Vetter is Michigan’s sixth EMAC deployment and eighth overall support mission to other states in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Hurricane Helene (EMAC)
- North Carolina: Michigan Task Force One (MI-TF1) Type 1 Swift Water Rescue Team deployed to North Carolina to assist with rescues.
- North Carolina: Michigan National Guard (MING) deployed a Horizontal Engineer Platoon to conduct Debris Push Missions.
- North Carolina: EMHSD staff member deployed to Asheville, NC to assist with Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) coordination.
- Virginia: EMHSD staff member deployed on an EMAC support A-Team mission assignment to Virginia’s State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
Hurricane Milton (EMAC)
- Florida: MING deployed two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, pilots, and crew.
Federal Assignments
- North Carolina: Michigan-based FEMA Integration Team Member deployed as an Operations Branch Director with the National Incident Management Team.
- FEMA: EMHSD staff member providing assistance at the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington D.C.
Through EMAC, a disaster-impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently. All costs associated with deploying resources under EMAC are paid for by the requesting state. Members of EMAC include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready or follow MSP/EMHSD on X at @MichEMHS.
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The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Lauren Thompson-Phillips
MSP/EMHSD Public Information Officer
517-216-0103
[email protected]
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