Hurricane Isaac’s slow speed and quickly rising flood waters in Jefferson Parish, LA, made it too late for residents to evacuate. The Team took the hovercraft and joined forces with the fire department to rescue those stranded. Using its generator, the Team powered the MRI unit of the hospital to get the clinic back online, and powered a shelter in the extreme heat conditions to save 50 elderly from a nearby nursing home.
Still uncertain about the severity of Isaac, the Team deploys with all of its equipment to Florida to prepare for Isaac’s arrival. But the storm changes direction and is headed straight for Louisiana so the Team heads West to Jefferson Parish and arrives just in time despite the powerful winds and heavy rains.
With expert advice from The Weather Channel, the Team drives through the night and heads to Elmira, New York where an EF-1 tornado has knocked down thousands of large trees. The crew uses their highly powered grapple truck to remove trees from the roadways so emergency vehicles can access those in need, and a community can begin to recover.
Tropical Storm Debby brings devastation not seen in Live Oak, FL since 1964. The Team leaves St.Marks knowing many people are stranded from the rising flood waters. Having trouble themselves, fighting 4-6 feet of flood waters to reach the city, they finally reach the Emergency Operations Center. For 2 days, the team performs water rescues and saves an elderly couple stranded in 8 feet of water.
With Tropical Storm Debby heading up the Gulf of Mexico, the Team heads south. Still unsure where the storm will do the worst damage, the Team stays in close contact with The Weather Channel, and heads to St.Marks, Florida. A city surrounded by 2 rivers combined with rain falling several inches per hour, St. Marks is in danger. The Team is immediately welcomed by the local fire department, and clears trees so rescue trucks can reach the 911 calls and residents can evacuate. The worst is yet to come.
The logistics involved in anticipating and responding to disaster are enormous. It's a never-ending cycle with many moving parts—requiring tremendous dedication and resources.
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