MEMPHIS, Tenn. WMC – Long hours, exhausting efforts, and unimaginable destruction characterize the work of Tennessee Task Force 1, a group of emergency responders from West Tennessee who are searching for survivors of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
As of late Thursday, the death toll from the storm reached 215, with more than half of those fatalities occurring in North Carolina, where rapidly rising waters have obliterated entire communities.
Tennessee Task Force 1, made up of first responders from fire departments in Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Memphis, Milan, Millington, and Shelby County, was deployed by FEMA to Avery County, one of the areas most severely impacted by the hurricane.
Avery County spans 247 square miles, making it smaller than Memphis, which covers 324 square miles. The county is home to just 17,000 residents and is located in the rural Appalachian Mountains near the East Tennessee border.
The team consists of 80 men and women from West Tennessee, including firefighters, paramedics, doctors, engineers, and canine units, forming part of FEMA’s elite search and rescue unit.
This experience is unlike any other for me and many of our members, Memphis Fire Division Chief and TNTF-1 member Jason Stuart told Action News 5. “Hurricanes typically hit coastal areas, causing storm surges and wind damage, making it easier to identify affected regions. However, here, landslides have obscured the damage, complicating our efforts to determine who needs help due to damaged roads and bridges.
Stuart spoke after a long 12-hour shift. The team operates from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with limited communication, as many towns remain isolated.
“Most of our work is conducted on foot, Chief Stuart explained. We traverse mountain roads and hike up driveways to check homes. Normally, it would take about 45 minutes to reach these houses, but now, with the roads destroyed, access is nearly impossible.
TNTF-1 carries out primary searches to assess damage and look for individuals in need of assistance. They also conduct targeted searches when someone reports a missing person.
When they finally reach those in need, Chief Stuart notes, the emotional reunions are heartfelt.
“What stands out most is how this community has come together. Despite being spread out across the mountains, they act like one big family, supporting one another, he said.
Chaplains accompany the task force, offering support as they confront difficult situations. With dozens of people still unaccounted for, hope for their safe return is fading.
Nevertheless, these local heroes continue their mission daily, 535 miles from home, committed to helping anyone in distress.
We’re incredibly proud to assemble this team and assist other communities, Chief Stuart said.
Tennessee Task Force 1 is now on Day 13 of their mission, with the potential for deployment lasting up to 24 days.
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