WASHINGTON — Fairfax County’s Task Force 1 (VA-TF1) is deploying to South Carolina after days of rain and dangerous flooding.
Virginia Task Force 1 sent 80 members to the state early Monday morning after being activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“We always think worst-case scenario,” explains Eddie Thurston, a medical specialist with the task force. “They are going to do some wide-area searches and assist with the flooding, and maybe get in the flooded areas and get some victims out.”
The team has enough resources to remain in South Carolina for two weeks. Team members brought 19 vehicles, 8 boats and 4 search dogs.
“We have the boats and that water capability to get into the flooded areas to assist anybody,” Thurston adds.
The task force was last deployed in late April, when team members assisted earthquake victims in Nepal.
WTOP’s Kathy Stewart and Nick Iannelli contributed to this report.
