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Indiana Task Force 1 returns after deployment to South Carolina for Hurricane Debby

Forty-eight members, representing 17 central Indiana public safety agencies and including 15 civilians, we part of the effort.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Task Force 1 is back in Indiana after being assisting in storm relief in South Carolina.

The team was demobilized from their assignment Thursday afternoon and was back home at 7 p.m. Friday.

Hurricane Debby brought heavy rains and catastrophic flooding to Florida, Georgia and South Carolina over the next several days, and central Indiana first responders were called in to assist.

Forty-eight members of Indiana Task Force 1, representing 17 central Indiana public safety agencies and including 15 civilians, departed last weekend for South Carolina. 

The group was assigned to support FEMA Region 4, serving as an urban search and rescue team.

The team received the call to activate around 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and departed Indianapolis roughly four hours later.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, Task Force 1 leader Gerald George said the team is still staging in South Carolina, awaiting further direction once the storm moves through.

IN-TF1 Debby Deployment

IN-TF1 Departs Indianapolis to assist with efforts for Tropical Storm Debby #fema FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency #debby

Posted by Indiana USAR Task Force #1 on Sunday, August 4, 2024

"Their biggest concern is the rainfall potential," George said. "Up to 30 inches over a two- or three-day time span. So they're concerned about the flooding issues or swift water issues in those states."

Over the past several years, the task force has assisted during hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires.

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