ORLANDO, Fla. — Dozens of local first responders are on the way to Louisiana to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Teams from across Central Florida spent Monday morning loading equipment and supplies before making the roughly nine-hour trip to Baton Rouge.
The task force — made up of members from agencies in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard and Lake counties — will help with search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Ida live updates: Hurricane weakens to tropical storm
Shannon Zielonka and her husband Michael are both part of the task force deploying to Louisiana.
“I have two little ones at home that I will miss very much, and they have understood that this is part of our job,” Shannon Zielonka said.
With reports of severe wind damage and catastrophic failures of buildings, crews will have their work cut out for them.
1 of 9
The group is highly experienced.
Members like Emanuel Washington have several deployments under their belts.
READ: Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando relocates dogs in Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Ida’s arrival
“I’ve been with Task Force 4 now for 10 years now. I went to Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Michael. So I’ve been in a couple of deployments already,” Washington said.
Matt Jaynes said he doesn’t know what to expect in Louisiana, but he said he is honored to help people in the Gulf Coast any way he can.
Photos: Hurricane Ida pummels Louisiana
“You just tell us where you need help, and we’re going there and doing whatever missions we need,” he said.
The task force plans to be in Louisiana for at least two weeks before returning home.
©2021 Cox Media Group
