Hurricane Harvey: How Local First Responders Are Helping

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—Earlier this week, Fairfax County first responders deployed to the Houston area along with other search and rescue teams to assist with Tropical Storm Harvey rescue efforts. And as we've seen devastating stories like the toddler found clinging to her drowned mother, every life the team has saved makes all of the different.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team is part of the Virginia Task Force 1 Swiftwater team responding after the hurricane devastated the Texas coast, killing at least 39.

So far the 14 Fairfax County first responders that are swiftwater trained have been rescuing residents from flooded homes in Kingwood, Texas. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reported Thursday that the VA-TF1 team has rescued six people and two pets that were stranded in flooded homes. The team also went back for a resident's three pets and people's medications and other personal belongings. (SIGN UP: Subscribe to a Virginia Patch News Alert and Newsletter. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

By Thursday, the water reached a low enough level that the team could go door-to-door checking for more people. None of the 14 first responders have been injured in the rescue efforts. See the gallery above for photos of the VA-TF1 team working in Texas.

Floodwaters are beginning to recede, but the number of calls from Harvey victims is still occurring at a past pace of 500 per hour. More than 37,000 homes have sustained major damage and nearly 7,000 have been destroyed by Harvey and its flooding, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Tens of thousands have crammed into mega-shelters, and it's yet to be seen how many will be able to return home.

Harvey struck the Texas coast Friday, dumping a historic amount of rainfall over the area.

SEE ALSO:

• Harvey: Death Toll 39; Rescues Still At Fast And Furious Pace
• Hurricane Harvey: How Fairfax County Residents Can Help

Images via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue