Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1) has been activated as a Type III team as Tropical Storm Debby continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a spokesperson from the task force.
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News Center 7′s Malik Patterson will have the latest with the task force’s activation LIVE on News Center 7 at 11:00.
Debby is classified as a Tropical Storm but is expected to upgrade into a Hurricane at landfall.
The storm could hit Florida with over a foot of rain and create strong storm surges in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Flash, urban, and isolated river flooding may occur through Wednesday morning.
“The early activation of OH-TF1 will have them in the area should they be needed,” the spokesperson said.
47 OH-TF1 members, including two K9 handlers and their K9 partners, will be deployed.
The spokesperson said these members are skilled in various aspects of search and rescue operations, as well as HazMat, medical, logistics, safety, communications, and planning.