Following Hurricane Helene, over 2,000 inmates were evacuated from North Carolina prisons due to storm-related disruptions. The NCDAC confirmed relocations across five facilities to ensure safety amid ongoing restoration efforts. This follows President Biden’s deployment of active duty soldiers to assist in disaster response, highlighting the significant challenges posed by the hurricane.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, over 2,000 inmates from various prisons in North Carolina have been evacuated to ensure their safety. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) announced on October 2 that more than 800 offenders from two western North Carolina facilities were relocated due to the storm’s disruption of essential services, which led to a cumulative evacuation of more than 2,000 individuals across five prisons. The evacuations included 405 women on Monday, 841 men on Tuesday, and 805 men on Wednesday. NCDAC emphasized that these measures were critical due to the extended timelines anticipated for the restoration of water and power services.
The recent evacuations from North Carolina prisons were prompted by the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene, which has been rated as the 14th most powerful storm to strike the United States. The severe weather conditions necessitated the relocation of inmates to ensure their well-being amid infrastructural challenges faced post-storm. Additionally, the storm has resulted in disaster declarations across multiple states including North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. Rescue operations are still underway as local and federal agencies mobilize resources to assist affected regions, underscoring the broader implications of extreme weather on public safety and infrastructure, particularly in correctional institutions.
The evacuation of over 2,000 inmates from North Carolina prisons exemplifies the extensive measures taken in response to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. With restoration efforts ongoing and communication systems strained, the NCDAC continues to prioritize the safety of offenders while local, state, and federal agencies work in unison to address the impacts of the disaster. The situation remains fluid as authorities assess the recovery progress and the safety of returning individuals to their original locations.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
