Nebraska Task Force 1 members deployed to Florida for Hurricane Helene response

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Nebraska Task Force One has been activated as Hurricane Helene intensifies along the Gulf Coast.

Battalion Chiefs Brad Thavnet, Mark Majors, and Lloyd Mueller were deployed with the Urban Search and Rescue Blue Incident Support Team.

In addition, Capt. Dan Ripley with Lincoln Fire & Rescue, as well as one of the leaders on the task force, says nearly four-dozen members will also be sent to the southeastern U.S.

Ripley added that it’s unclear exactly where they’ll be sent, but as the storm begins to make its impact, NE-TF1 will receive further instructions on where exactly they’ll be heading. Ripley added that their operations will vary depending on what situations they are asked to assist with. Crews are expect to encounter serious issues from flooding, according to Ripley, meaning that water rescues will be the primary operation for NE-TF1 and other task forces down along the east coast.

Hurricane Helene is pushing up the Gulf Coast and the National Hurricane Center is forecasting it to strengthen into a major hurricane before hitting Florida.

The storm is expected to bring damaging winds, catastrophic flooding, and the potential for landslides. Meanwhile, Lincoln Electric System deployed 12 members of its team to Georgia Wednesday to help with power restoration efforts.

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