Miami Area First Responders See Maria's Devastation Firsthand

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Miami area fire responders have been getting an up close look at Hurricane Maria's devastation as they continue to assist with search and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

Hundreds of homes were destroyed by Hurricane Maria and people lost power across the island when the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years touched down Wednesday.

Miami-Dade first responders from Florida Task Force-1 deployed to the island along with Miami Fire Rescue's Florida Task Force-2 ahead of Hurricane Maria to assist in the recover efforts. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

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Both teams have the capability to rescue trapped victims from various types of collapsed structures. The teams consist of firefighters, paramedics, search dogs, engineers, technical rescue specialists and a medical personnel, according to Erika Benitez of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Capt. Ignatious Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue.

Watch video below as first responders tour the devastation:

Photo credit: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images. Video courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.