DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Task Force 1, which was deployed to the southeastern United States to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, will head to Ashville, North Carolina, to assist the area after widespread flooding hit the city.
CO-TF1 is one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency task forces that specialize in urban search and rescue. The task force first arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Friday before they headed to Pinellas County, Florida, which is near Tampa.
Colorado Task Force 1 deployed to assist with Hurricane Helene relief
The group spent Saturday conducting search operations in several neighborhoods that were under mandatory evacuation orders. Nine people died, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and some have been publicly identifie d.
West Metro Fire Rescue, which sponsors the task force, shared that many people were trapped inside homes by floodwaters.
At least nine people who did not evacuate died, according to a post shared by WMFR. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that number.