ORLANDO, Fla. – A unified command post has been established in Orlando to dispatch crews responding to search and rescue to the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Helene.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies at the Hilton Orlando.
“At this time in the state of Florida alone there’s probably over a thousand responders working on various teams,” said FEMA Public Information Officer Charles Lubowicki.
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In the aftermath of Helene, several water rescues were needed in several flooded areas along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
“If the local emergency responders feel that they need more help. More boats, more highwater vehicles, they are able to get there in the system as quick as possible,” Lubowicki said.
Agencies from outside Florida were also part of the coordination to respond to areas that needed help after the hurricane.
“A swift water team from Vermont and as far as Nebraska are here as well to help, so it really is a countrywide effort to come in and help the people of Florida and then the other affected states,” Lubowicki said.
The unified command post is expected to be established over the next five to seven days but may be extended if needed.
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