A team of firefighters and medics from Louisiana, known as Louisiana Task Force One, arrived in Orlando shortly after Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, caused significant damage across Florida’s west coast.
The storm hit on Wednesday night, resulting in flooded streets, downed trees, and power lines.
Fire Chief Earl Borden, leading the task force, explained that the state had organized the response into branches, with their team designated for the Orlando Metro area and surrounding counties.
The Louisiana National Guard is also involved, deploying 500 engineers and a 100-person truck company for debris removal, as well as two Blackhawk helicopters for potential rescues.
Capt. Knight Roddy, stationed in Sarasota, reported moderate damage, with some water on roads, missing roofs, and downed trees, but noted that the impact was less severe than anticipated.
Additionally, a strike team of 25 firefighters from various parishes in Louisiana is assisting local fire departments to handle storm-related emergencies, allowing local firefighters to take necessary breaks and check on their homes.