VIRGINIA, USA — Virginia Task Force 2 is now stationed out of southern Georgia to respond to the potential devastation expected in the Tampa Bay region of Florida after Hurricane Milton.
Task Force Leader Mike Brashear said his team is prepared for anything in regard to Hurricane Milton, feeling especially prepped just two weeks after they faced Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
"We really focused on a new mindset and a reset for the team," Brashear said. "We rehabbed all of our equipment, we got a good days rest yesterday, and we made sure everything is ready to go. At this point, we're prepared for the worst and we always hope for the best."
Brashear said that the fact they are being deployed again so soon after Helene is not a problem for them.
"In some aspects it'll actually help us," Brashear said. "We're fresh as far as knowing out equipment, our technology. We've been operating this way for the past two weeks, so we are ready to go,."
Brashear said Milton will be a major storm for the Tampa area and its impact will reach far across the state of Florida.
"Power lines down, trees down and water surge is a big concern especially near the coastline," said Brashear.
Brashear said 114 members of VA-TF2 are currently deployed to aid relief efforts against Hurricane Milton and expect to remain in the area for another 10 days.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross in Virginia are also on the ground in Florida tonight. Virginia’s Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross and Virginia Beach resident Katie Niehoff has been based in Tallahassee since Helene hit. She says the agency has constructed shelters for those who have already been evacuated.
"All of us, our hearts are with people that are going to feel the effects of this storm, so that's kind of the hardest part, at least for myself," said Niehoff. "Just knowing that there's going to be people that, you know, this is their worst day. That kind of weighs on you."