NCDOT workers helped avert disaster on I-40 after Hurricane Helene, ‘God had a hand in this’

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) highlighted a heroic rescue effort carried out by two state employees during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina in a Friday press release, commending the public safety responders for their life-saving efforts.

In late September, as Helene brought torrential rain to the region, members of the Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) received an urgent call regarding a dangerous situation on Interstate 40 near the Pigeon River. The storm caused severe damage to the highway, posing a serious threat to drivers.

Responders Chris Strader and Garret McFalls were dispatched to the scene, where they quickly assessed the danger and took swift action to turn drivers around, sending them safely back toward Tennessee on the westbound lanes.

“I strongly, strongly believe that God had a hand in this,” said Senior IMAP Responder Garret McFalls. “And had his hand of protection not been on the people down there we would have had multiple fatalities — maybe myself and Chris included. We felt like we had a hand of protection over us that day for sure.”

“To us it’s just our job,” said Chris Strader, Senior IMAP Responder. “It’s what we do everyday. It’s what we’re here for. We want to help people out. Get them on their way safely. I do not feel like a hero at all. It was just another day to help out.”

While roads in Western North Carolina are gradually reopening, the effects of Hurricane Helene are still being felt, with some areas remaining inaccessible. NCDOT continues to monitor road conditions closely with the latest information available on the agency’s road reopening tracker. As of Friday, 1,109 roads have reopened and 271 roads remain closed.

Beyond NCDOT’s response to Hurricane Helene, the agency highlighted the return of the Santa Train this month. After five years, NC By Train is bringing back the holiday tradition for families on Dec. 14, starting at Raleigh Union Station and traveling to Greensboro and back.

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