VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach firefighters are headed to Georgia and South Carolina to help emergency responders as Tropical Storm Debby brings possible historic rain and flooding to the southeast U.S.
Forty-five members of Virginia Task Force 2 were told Sunday afternoon they would be going to Columbia, South Carolina early Monday morning, in response to the strengthening tropical storm. That's after eight members left Sunday morning for Macon, Georgia.
Virginia Task Force 2 Leader Brian Sullivan said FEMA team leaders chose to station in Columbia because of its higher ground and the fact that it's closer to the interstate.
“We bring all of our equipment in… and then we get issued various equipment – radios, computers,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan said their goal is simple.
“Help out the local responders that are there,” he said. “Saving lives and property.”
The 45-member crew is bringing an array of resources which include tractors and water rescue boats. The task force leader says they expect to perform some evacuations.
Monday morning, they packed up their gear for what could be dangerous flooding in South Carolina.
“We’re expecting most of our rescues … to be water-related,” said Virginia Beach Task Force 2 Rescue Specialist Sean Millard.
Along with trucks full of gear, they’ll have a diverse crew on the ground like hazardous material specialists, engineers, paramedics and a doctor who works in Virginia Beach.
“Our primary responsibility is the members themselves followed by the K9s," said Dr. Manny Armada. "Thirdly, any rescue personnel that we find.”
Sullivan said the team is assigned to FEMA Region 4 which covers North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He said they could end up in any of those three states if the need it great.
The task force is one of 28 urban search and rescue teams across the country associated with FEMA. They can be activated and sent to help search and rescue operations in the aftermath of many types of disasters.
RELATED: Here's what Hampton Roads, Virginia and northeast North Carolina may see from Tropical Storm Debby
This particular task force is made up of crews from the Virginia Beach Fire Department along with other local departments.
The storm hit Florida near Steinhatchee as a Category 1 Hurricane Monday morning.
More than 10 million people are in her in path. More than 10 inches of rain is expected in some areas, as well as potentially life-threatening flash floods and storm surges potentially as high as 10 feet.
President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration for Florida. Georgia's governor has activated emergency resources, and a state of emergency has been declared in South Carolina.