There are nearly 7,000 National Guardsmen on the ground helping with the recovery effort.
"Very much appreciate the help we've gotten," said Col. Paul Hollenack, the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Commander of the North Carolina National Guard. "Particularly seven CH-47 medium-lift helicopters from the 82nd Airborne that are being deployed through our National Guard Air Operations Center to support the people of western North Carolina."
The Pentagon said soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division will be helping the National Guard hand out supplies and clear debris.
Barbara Whitehead, the director of NC Support Our Troops, is collecting care packages for them to help support soldiers and first responders during this difficult mission.
"They know they're not forgotten, that they know Americans care about them and their service and their sacrifice," said Whitehead.
Helene is now recognized as the country's deadliest natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina.
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