Pennsylvania is sending first responders to North Carolina to assist with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby. Forty-five members of Pennsylvania Task Force One have been deployed to Raleigh, North Carolina, to support response operations following the storm. The announcement was made by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) on Wednesday (August 7).
Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his pride in supporting federal response operations with this elite search and rescue team. "Our Commonwealth stands ready to help North Carolina — and any state that's affected by this storm — get back on their feet,” Shapiro said.
PEMA Director Randy Padfield also commented on the situation, stating, “This storm is bringing historic flooding to parts of the Atlantic Coast of the United States. We are ready to support our fellow Americans both now and during their recovery in the weeks and months ahead.”
Pennsylvania Task Force One is one of 28 teams that are part of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. This federal resource can be quickly mobilized to respond to incidents anywhere in the country. The team is sponsored by the Philadelphia Fire Department.
The National Weather Service predicts that the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby will likely bring heavy rain to much of Pennsylvania Thursday night into Friday. Residents are encouraged to review family safety plans and monitor local forecasts for details on potential flooding and severe weather over the next few days.