Nebraska Task Force One deploying as Hurricane Helene nears Florida

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska Task Force One was activated Wednesday night as Hurricane Helene churned toward Florida.

Forty-five members of the search and rescue team left Lincoln for the Southeast.

They don’t yet know their exact destination but will be ready to help wherever needed.

Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday night.

SEE ALSO: LES sends 18 workers to the Southeast ahead of Hurricane Helene

The task force includes everyone from firefighters to doctors to structural engineers.

They are bringing three semitrailers full of equipment and gear. That includes water rescue equipment.

“We’re looking for a lot of inland flooding,” said Capt. Dan Ripley, the task force leader. “That surge that comes with the hurricane is going to be of concern for us.”

Members said the people they help on these missions are forever grateful.

“If you could see the elated relief that those individuals have in their time of need,” Ripley said.