“Ohio Task Force 1: Ongoing Relief Efforts in Florida After Hurricane Helene”
Since Hurricane Helene struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, the 82-member Ohio Task Force 1 has been working tirelessly to assist in recovery efforts. Almost immediately, the team was called into action for water rescues in three different counties, where individuals were stranded on their roofs.
With the break of dawn, the crew began surveying damage each day. Primarily focused on Pasco County, they were assigned to assess a 24-square-mile area, evaluating and documenting damage across nearly 9,000 structures, according to Task Force Leader Jeffrey Newman, who spoke to Fox 8 on Saturday.
“When one person is affected, it’s bad. It’s the worst day of their lives. We’re there to support the rebuilding process so they can move forward as quickly as possible,” Newman stated. “By the end of each day, we can produce a map and a report for the county EMA director, showing the affected areas and identifying where help is needed to kickstart the recovery process.”
Newman noted that many residents were taken by surprise, as the storm had seemingly passed before the tides rose and flooding began in Pasco County.
“Things escalated quickly. Just like every other hurricane, residents were relieved to have made it through, but now they face the long wait for assistance. They lack power, struggle with food shortages, and many have damaged vehicles,” he explained.
As for the duration of Task Force 1’s deployment, Newman indicated that it remains uncertain. However, he noted a significant change in the response to hurricanes in recent years: FEMA now dispatches them immediately, allowing the team to begin their critical work for the community right away.
