Nebraska Task Force 1 members have returned home after being deployed more than two weeks ago to provide aid to southeastern states that were hit by two hurricanes.Ìý
According to Lincoln Fire and Rescue spokesperson MJ Lierman, the task force was officially demobilized Saturday. Some members flew home and the remaining personnel drove back to Nebraska.
FEMA activated Nebraska Task Force 1 on Sept. 25 ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall near Florida's panhandle.
Originally, the task force was dispatched with 45 crew members, more than 100,000 pounds of equipment and two K-9 units, Lierman said.
After Helene hit Florida, it continued north, causing the most significant damage to western North Carolina.
The death toll from Helene is at least 232 people across six states.
The task force responded to assignments ranging from medical support to urban searches, water rescues and hazardous material handling.
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After conducting searches in Florida, the task force was spread out between North and South Carolina to assist heavier hit areas.
Battalion Chief Brad Thavenet said the task force performed daily search and rescue missions .Ìý
"We are trying to help towns that no longer exist," he said at the time.
Thavenet believes the operation is one of the largest and most complex executed by the task force. He compared the scale of the deployment to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and flooding in Boulder, Colorado, in 2013.
Last week, Lierman said 20 Nebraska Task Force 1 members were being sent to North Carolina to rotate with other members who were originally deployed.Ìý
In total, 103 task force members were deployed to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on the west coast of Florida on Oct. 9.
At least 14 people died as a result of Hurricane Milton.
Six task force support team members and three cadaver K-9 units are still being used in North Carolina.
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From left, Nola Broderick, 7, and her twin Rose Broderick ride their bikes past the Halloween decorations at the home of Wade and Debbie McGinnis at 5043 Leighton Avenue is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Lincoln.
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Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (2), Nebraska's Ceyair Wright (15), DeShon Singleton (8) and Nebraska's MJ Sherman (48) celebrate a defensive stop during the third quarter of the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
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Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or avargas@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @Alex_Vargas1994
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