Florida Republican Launches Rescue Mission to Helene, North Carolina: “Defined by We the People”

Taking matters into his own hands, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., joined other Good Samaritans in launching a rescue mission in North Carolina this week to provide critical assistance to Hurricane Helene victims and vital supplies to those affected by the disaster to deliver.

“It makes sense for Americans to come together in times of grief, strife and difficulty, and I don't think that's ever really changed,” Mills, an Army combat veteran, said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I mean, we're not defined by the federal government, we're defined by 'We the People.'

This isn't the first time Mills has taken on a rescue mission. In addition to providing assistance to Israelis after October 7, he also provided assistance in his own district during Hurricanes Nicole and Ian and rescued 23 Americans and 59 mentally and physically disabled children in Haiti. He also conducted one of the first successful overland rescues during the Afghanistan drawdown, with around two to three dozen rescues in that region in 2021 alone.

Rescue missions are underway in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene caused “historic” flooding and landslides

“The federal government with its bureaucracy moves too slowly for the speed at which emergencies and often chaos actually develop,” said Mills. “And that's why I think it's good that since Afghanistan and the failed botched withdrawal in 2021, you've seen a larger group of civilians coming together, many of them former military or law enforcement, to take a break and get help as needed .”

Since Monday, Mills has partnered with a private helicopter company, Mercury One, to deliver food, water, diapers, non-perishables, insulin medications and oxygen. Mills said he and a small group have already delivered thousands of pounds of relief supplies to the region's hardest-hit areas.

The congressman deployed two helicopters and also helped organize search and rescue operations in Bernardsville, Poplar, Burnsville and surrounding areas. He performed lifting surgery on an elderly man on Tuesday, a spokesman told Fox News Digital.

Those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Helene are receiving assistance from Rev. FRANKLIN GRAHAM AND SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Rep. Cory Mills delivers essentials to victims of Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy of Rep. Cory Mills)

“Any time there is any kind of devastation or Americans are in danger, obviously that has caught my attention and we need to be able to respond to that in some way,” Mills said. “I feel somewhat of an obligation as an elected official to try to do what I can to help the American people, whether you live in Florida's 7th District or anywhere in the country.”

Mills said he and his group, working with some local response teams on the ground, have mapped out different target areas to provide much-needed assistance to those arriving on day five without essentials, including cell phones.

Rescue teams were also dispatched to parts of East Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Florida – areas also devastated by the storm.

HERE YOU CAN FIND THE CURRENT FOX NEWS REPORTS ABOUT HELENE'S HAVOC

Rep. Cory Mills delivers essentials to victims of Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy of Rep. Cory Mills)

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Hundreds of thousands more people remain without power or cell service, which has left locals slow to receive assistance and try to contact loved ones affected by the hurricane.

Helene's death toll in North Carolina and Tennessee is unknown as authorities continue to respond and contact families before releasing official figures, but the lack of data roaming and cell service makes this difficult.

Audrey Conklin of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.