Crime & Safety
NoVA First Responders Join Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts
A team of 57 people and four canines deployed to the Bahamas, while other water rescue personnel are helping in the southeast.
VIRGINIA — First responders from Northern Virginia are pitching in to help with Hurricane Dorian relief in the southeast and in the Bahamas.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue's search and rescue team was deployed to the Bahamas as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development's Disaster Assistance Response Team. The Fairfax County team of 57 people and four canines is coordinating with the Bahamas government for search and rescue missions and other critical operations.
The disaster responders are currently conducting damage assessments on Abaco, one of the areas worst impacted by Dorian. This will help the team identify priorities for residents, such as water, shelter, sanitation and hygiene.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
LAST NIGHT: While many of us were sleeping, @USAID's #HurricaneDorian response efforts continued. Members of @ffxfirerescue's search and rescue team were deployed as part of our DART and arrived in The #Bahamas to help authorities there search for survivors. pic.twitter.com/jBX9tX1Any
— USAID/OFDA (@theOFDA) September 5, 2019
Three other fire departments are forming a Northern Virginia water rescue team heading to the south. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested water rescue teams from Alexandria, Arlington County and Fairfax City to help with relief efforts. Virginia has been providing urban search and rescue teams along with other assistance to southern states and FEMA. The Arlington Fire Department tweeted Thursday afternoon that the team headed out Thursday afternoon.
Members of our water rescue team are busy making final preparations before deploying south with teams from @AlexandriaVAFD & @CityofFairfaxVA to assist with #HurricaneDorian relief efforts at the request of @VDEM pic.twitter.com/qWBIFEJw6u
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) September 5, 2019
Forecasters say the southeastern Virginia coast could begin to see impacts of Hurricane Dorian Thursday night as it moves close to the South and North Carolina coasts. These impacts could include life-threatening storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds. Hampton Roads is under a storm surge warning, and the entire Virginia coast is under a tropical storm warning.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rescue efforts are underway in the Bahamas after Dorian inflicted destruction as a category 5 hurricane, notably on Grand Bahama and the Abacos islands. According to the Washington Post, 20 deaths are confirmed, and that number could increase as rescues continue.
MORE HURRICANE COVERAGE:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
