ST. LOUIS— Missouri Task Force 1 released an update Monday. They're in McDowell County, NC focusing on remote areas of Pisgah National Forest that faced severe flooding following Hurrican Helene.

MO-TF1's teams include a 45-member Type III team and a 16-member Mission Ready Package team. Both teams are working together on this mission with their base of operations set up in Marion, NC. 

Yesterday, MO-TF1 were pleased to find no one in a region they were searching. This area had the team battling challenges including washed-out roads, downed power lines, extensive destruction to homes and campers, lare debris piles along creek and river beds.

The Task Force Leader said they're doing well but urge everyone to keep both storm victims and responders in their thoughts and prayers.

Over the weekend, Missouri Task Force one assisted with authorities in Lincoln County, Ga. A rapid-strike team searched a house that collapsed. Crews used chainsaws to reach the house, then used cameras, seismic listening devices and a K-9 to search the home. The crews did find the man, but he died due to a large tree falling on the house. 

The task force has helped after other hurricanes, including Ian in Fort Myers in 2022. 

Ameren Missouri and Illinois are headed to West Virginia after Hurricane Helene left tens of thousands without power.

Around 300 full-time employees and Ameren associated contractors will be on hand to restore power.

On the Kansas City side of the state, about 120 Evergy line workers and support staff are helping with Helene. A convoy of crews left from Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Emporia on Saturday to make the 700-mile drive to Ashland, Ky., a mountainous area where the storm brought high winds and heavy rains, damaging trees, and electrical equipment. Evergy crews will spend up to two weeks assisting AEP Kentucky.