Hurricane Ian: Ohio Task Force 1 move, ‘deep into the hardest hit areas,’

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SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA — Members of Ohio Task Force 1 continue work in Florida after additional members joined their teammates Friday, according to a post on Ohio Task Force 1′s Facebook page.

>>Hurricane Ian: ‘Quite a while longer;’ OH-TF1 anticipates lengthy deployment as rescues continue

36 members departed their warehouse in Vandalia on Thursday and are in Southeast Florida.

47 members of Ohio Task Force 1 left Kettering last Saturday for Florida.

The Type I team consists of 83 members plus seven canines, Ohio Task Force 1 said.

The team moved further south and west in Florida on Saturday, “deep into the hardest hit areas,” a spokesperson told News Center 7.

“They are conducting wide-area searches by land and water, going house to house to clear structures and check on folks who have sheltered in place,” said Christina O’Connor. “They use search canines to locate person who may trapped or in need of assistance and identify damaged structures.”

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: Additional Ohio Task Force 1 personnel heads to Florida

The team was fed hot meals by Mercy Chefs Saturday night and will be have an early start Sunday morning.

News Center 7 will continue to update this developing story.