VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Task Force 2 is on their way to Columbia, South Carolina, getting ahead of Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall in northern Florida as a hurricane around 7 a.m. The team aims to get there long before the center of the category 1 storm reaches the Carolina coastline.
About 45 people from the task force are a part of the caravan. They come from fire departments across the Hampton Roads area, along with two doctors, two K9’s and a structural engineer. Their main goal is to rescue anyone trapped by floodwater.
Leaders of the crew gave said, as an example, that if someone is stuck in the attic of their own home surrounded by several feet of water, the task force will go there and get them out. Doctors will be there to make sure the person is okay, and the engineer ensures they get in and out of these structures safely.
They are bringing trailers loaded up with four wheelers and boats, along with at least five tractor trailers filled with other gear.
They chose Columbia for its high elevation and proximity to interstates, better enabling them to go anywhere in the state they might be needed.
“Just try and improve their situation.” said Brian Sullivan, Virginia Task Force 2 Leader. “Help out the local responders that are there. The mission is about saving lives and property. We’re there to help any way we can and it’s a good feeling to be able to lend a hand to jurisdictions where they may need help.”
“It starts with safety,” explained rescue specialist Sean Millard. “We want everyone to come home, we want them to be safe with our team and then do our best, and to quickly respond appropriately to those that do need the rescue.”
They expect to be in South Carolina by Monday afternoon. Virginia Task Force 2 could be deployed for about two weeks.
