North Carolina has received a special commendation from the Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swift Water Rescue for the coordinated local, state and federal response to Hurricane Florence in 2018, when responders rescued and evacuated more than 5,200 people. This marks the third time North Carolina has received an award. The state received Outstanding Achievement twice, in 2005 after swift water rescue teams saved more than 1,110 people during Tropical Storms Frances and Ivan, and in 2017 after crews rescued more than 2,300 people during Hurricane Matthew.  The internationally recognized awards for excellence in swift water and flood rescue were presented this week during the annual conference of the International Association of Water Rescue Professionals.