Hurricane Laura: MoCo First Responders Head South To Help Victims

ROCKVILLE, MD — Nearly 50 Maryland first responders — including those in the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service — were deployed to the Gulf Region early Thursday to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

Crews from the Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Howard County fire departments left for Louisiana around 1:30 a.m., as part of a specialized FEMA search and rescue task force called MD-TF1.

FYI @MontgomeryCoMD @fema MDTF-1 was ACTIVATED for deployment to Gulf Region - Weather & it’s affects won’t be the only challenge. It’s our 1st deployment during a pandemic (COVID) & ~45 @mcfrs incl several allied staff from @PGFDNews & @HCDFRS are taking necessary precautions https://t.co/pbpW0F8Ano pic.twitter.com/vRaJC6K3ou
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 27, 2020

The caravan has two tractor-trailers, two box trucks, and a dozen vans and pickup trucks towing boats that will help reach flooded neighborhoods, according to Montgomery County Fire spokesman Pete Piringer. The trip will take the team approximately 20 hours, and they will arrive in Baton Rouge either late Thursday or early Friday.

Hurricane Laura made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border early Thursday as a Category 4 storm. Laura's devastating 150 mph winds have already torn through Charles Lake, Louisiana, and killed at least one person.

According to citizen reports, roofs were ripped off, trees were uprooted, and windows were blown out. The National Hurricane Center warns that the storm's surge may be "unsurvivable" in some areas.

The storm is forecast to head north toward Arkansas Thursday night.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Laura Slams Texas And Louisiana Coasts
• Hurricane Laura Moves North As Louisiana Is Hit By Damaging Winds
  
• Hurricane Laura Forecast: Heavy Rain, High Winds Possible In NC