BLACKSTONE, Va. — The devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Helene is still being felt all over the Appalachian regions of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.
Many people were left without food, power, and some without homes.
Their missions have included clearing debris, assisting with evacuations, and distributing food and water.
They're credited with helping rescue six people.
"Folks really need that help, and it's just so rewarding to know that we can be there and be a small part of the overall operation," said Brigadier General Todd Hubbard, Virginia National Guard Joint Staff Director. "The guys are just excited to be down there and be a part of that effort."
Their work has been centered in the southwest Virginia towns of Damascus, Abingdon, Gate City and Cedar Bluff.
"Some of the roads that we're besides the creeks when the water washed down from the mountains, it just took the entire road away," said Hubbard.
It's all part of the National Guard Bureau's dual responsibilities---fulfilling its federal mission serving as a reserve component for the active-duty force, and, in this case, when disaster strikes in the homeland, the National Guard stands ready to deploy and serve at a moment's notice to protect life and property in local communities.
According to the Department of Defense, around 6,700 guardsmen from 16 states across the U.S. were activated to provide assistance, as part of emergency management assistance compacts, in the states hit hardest.
"The great thing about the National Guard, you're serving your community and your country," said Hubbard.
At the height of the storm, NPR reports that over 310,000 Virginia homes and businesses were without power and as many as 287 cellphone towers were out of service.
Hubbard said he does not know how long the Virginia National Guard soldiers will remain activated, adding: "We're going to be there as long as needed."