Close to 100 Colorado first responders are in Florida or en route as the region braces for devastating rain, wind and flooding from Hurricane Milton, which is set to make landfall Wednesday.
Emergency crews from across Colorado were called to help with search, rescue and recovery efforts in Florida and North Carolina on Sept. 25 in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 230 people and has left more than 100,000 without power, according to the Associated Press.
Colorado Task Force 1 initially sent 45 first responders to the southeast in late September, according to West Metro Fire Rescue officials. The team includes people from 23 agencies from around the state.
Human remains detection K9s and their handlers were later sent to North Carolina to help with recovery work, and an additional 35 task force members were called to Florida on Tuesday, West Metro officials said in a post on X.
***UPDATE- Colorado Task Force 1 (CO-TF1) – Task Force Deploys HRD K9 to North Carolina***
October 1, 2024 – 12:40 pm, MDT – Colorado Task Force 1 has received activation orders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deploy a specialized Human Remains Detection K9… pic.twitter.com/N88sAD9xzJ
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) October 1, 2024
Gov. Jared Polis also ordered an eight-person Chinook helicopter team from the Colorado National Guard to respond to Florida on Monday, Polis’ office said in a news release. Additional Colorado emergency response teams are also coordinating with agencies in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Virginia.
“It is the Colorado way to step up and lend a hand to our fellow Americans in need, today will be no different,” Polis said in a statement. “Our helicopter and crew are in the air and should land in Florida later today. We keep those devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in our thoughts and pray for their safety.”
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