Julia Eisen – WMAL News | August 29, 2023
A couple weeks after Maryland’s Task Force One was flown out to help aid Maui after the lethal wildfires, Virginia’s Task Force One headed out to Florida.
Members of Virginia’s Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue team were given the order to head out to Florida ahead of what will become Hurricane Idalia later this week. The 80 member team from Fairfax County gathered last night to pack up the 60 tons of equipment they will need to assist in the storm, which is expected to strike land near Tampa on Wednesday.
“We want to be ready for everything. So, obviously a lot of flooding, that area is used to it,” team member Brooke Robbins told Channel 7 News. “We bring a lot of equipment, we bring a lot of experience, and we bring different skill sets. So, just everything to prepare for whatever we need down there.”
Hurricane Idalia has the potential to become a Category 3 hurricane, according the Associated Press. Additionally, after Idalia rushes through Florida, it’s expected for storms and rip currents to hit the beaches of Georgia and the Carolinas.
As the Virginia team headed out, most members of Maryland’s Task Force One arrived home early this morning from Maui. Over the last two weeks, members helped to find and identify victims of the massive wildfires that took over Lahaina. Some members are remaining behind to pack up equipment, and one communications specialist from the Maryland team will remain in Maui for the duration to support recovery efforts.
WMAL News Correspondent John Matthews contributed to this report.
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