SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is among several California agencies who deployed a search and rescue task force on Friday to the East Coast to help areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday the deployment of California Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams to help in the aftermath of the Category 4 hurricane that made landfall on Florida's coast late Thursday. LIVE COVERAGE: Surveying damage from Hurricane Helene in Tampa Bay That storm so far has killed at least 40 people across four states and has caused widespread destruction, from flooding to power outages. Hurricane Helene weakened to a tropical depression over the Carolinas by early afternoon Friday and evacuations were in place Friday in areas of western North Carolina, the Associated Press reports. PHOTOS: Helene brings flooding, damage as storm barrels ahead Statewide, in coordination with FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is deploying 151 firefighters and support personnel from California/FEMA US&R Task Force 5, 6 and 8 from the Orange County Fire Authority, Riverside Fire Department, and SDFD.  The deployment also includes California Swiftwater Task Force 1 from the Los Angeles Fire Department. SDFD, who is the lead agency for the US&R Task Force 8 team, will be sending 46 personnel to North Carolina, where they will help aid in recovery efforts for some of the hardest hit areas in the state. According to the department, the Task Force 8 team began traveling to the state on Friday and are driving semi trucks, vans and SUVs loaded with personnel and equipment. "With the extensive damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, California is sending these additional specialized resources to help in these important response and recovery efforts. We're glad to extend a helping hand to all those impacted by Hurricane Helene," said Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom says the task forces will assist with search and rescue efforts, incident management, and emergency operations in the hardest hit areas.