St. Cloud, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota National Guard has joined the Hurricane Helene relief effort.

A news release says the St. Cloud-based C Company, 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion is sending two of its CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopters to the disaster area. 11 Minnesota National Guard members from the same unit are also being activated in support of the mission to transport commodities and personnel to assist the victims of the deadly natural disaster.

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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The National Guard says Governor Tim Walz authorized the activation after receiving a request from North Carolina officials.

“The Minnesota National Guard is ready to assist the state of North Carolina and help support people and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “We take pride in being able to answer the call when another state requests support.”

The news release says the Minnesota citizen-soldiers are expected to arrive in the disaster zone tomorrow and participate in relief admissions for at least one week. The National Guard says the request for support could be extended depending on circumstances.

ALSO SEE: Rochester Business Collecting Items For Town Devastated By Hurricane Helene

Meanwhile, Xcel Energy has announced that 100 of its employees are being dispatched to the southeastern United States to assist in the recovery efforts. The utility workers from Minnesota and five other states departed for Georgia on Thursday. They are expected to help with restoring power in areas devastated by the hurricane over the next two weeks.

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Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper