BAT CAVE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The chief of the Bat Cave Fire and Rescue Department will attend the State of the Union address Tuesday after being invited in recognition of his leadership during Tropical Storm Helene.

Chief Steve Freeman was invited by U.S. Sen. Ted Budd to attend the annual address in Washington, D.C., honoring his work coordinating rescue and recovery efforts during and after the storm.

“Bat Cave VFD Chief Steve Freeman is one of the many heroes who rose to the occasion during Hurricane Helene, selflessly patrolling the rivers to coordinate rescues & conduct welfare checks for weeks on end. I am honored to have him as my guest for tonight’s State of the Union,” Budd said in a Facebook post.

Bat Cave, a small mountain community in Western North Carolina, was heavily impacted when Helene swept through the region. Downed trees, landslides and collapsed bridges left the area largely cut off for days. Some residents were evacuated by helicopter, while others hiked out through steep ravines carved by floodwaters.

Freeman and his department led emergency response efforts in the immediate aftermath, helping coordinate rescues and assist residents stranded by the damage.

Freeman is expected to be recognized during the president’s address as a guest in the chamber, highlighting the response efforts of first responders in Western North Carolina.

Community members took to social media to congratulate Freeman, calling the invitation a well-deserved honor for his service and leadership during the crisis.