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

KETTERING — UPDATE @ 8:52 p.m.:

Ohio Task Force 1 sent 36 more members to Florida on Thursday to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which on Thursday night was spinning its way toward the Carolinas as a Category 1 hurricane after degrading briefly to a tropical storm.

>> Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida

The extra task force personnel is in addition to the 47 OH-TF 1 members who left Kettering last Saturday, headed for Florida.

“Because of the intensity of this hurricane when it hit [Wednesday], FEMA has decided to up the capability of several of the teams it deployed,” task force Program Manager Evan Schumann told News Center 7′s Molly Koweek.

“I suspect that we will be involved in some pretty serious operations over the next three, four, five days down there,” he said.

The mission call is no problem for Kim Hoekstra, a retired Cincinnati firefighter and veteran team member.

“It’s one of the greatest feelings that we are able to go out and help people, that we are there to serve them. I’ve done this (answering a call) all my life. We’re a team as one and I’m part of what needs to be done.”

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The additional members are skilled in the various aspects of search and rescue operations as well as HazMat, medical, logistics, safety, communications and planning.

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Their specific destination is yet to be determined.

The Butler County Incident Management Team also was deployed through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to support a logistics staging area for the Florida Emergency Management Agency.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency “continues to remain in contact with our response partners and the Ohio National Guard to provide support to the states and communities impacted by Hurricane Ian,” Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “We have highly skilled response personnel and resources available to help the hurricane and flood-ravaged states respond, recover and rebuild from the storms.”

News Center 7 and whio.com will continue tp update this developing story.

Ohio Task Force 1 mobilizing additional resources to Florida

Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A wall of a condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Street signs are seen in the water in a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Members of the Florida National Guard look for stranded residents in a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida A fallen sign following Hurricane Ian in Venice, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Ian, now a hurricane again, is threatening to carve a new path of destruction through South Carolina Friday when it roars ashore north of Charleston. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SEE: Tampa police rescue kitten found outdoors during Hurricane Ian

Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: In this aerial view, vehicles drive through standing water left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: The pilings from Fort Myers Beach pier are all that are left after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: People walk past a building destroyed as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Debris is strewn across the beach caused by Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall on Cayo Costa, Florida, and brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Brock Hall and Brenda Hall cook lunch on their barbeque as Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, flooded homes are shown after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath An EF-2 tornado struck Delray Beach, Florida, as Hurricane Ian began its approach to Florida's west coast on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. (Dave Dellinger/National Weather Service-Miami)

Hurricane Ian aftermath People walk along the beach looking at property damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall on Cayo Costa, Florida, and brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Park begins cleaning up after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Punta Gorda, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath A flooded trailer park following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Eva Marie UZCATEGUI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath A truck in a flooded driveway following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Eva Marie UZCATEGUI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath A resident sits on a boat on a flooded street following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Eva Marie UZCATEGUI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath BARTOW, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: A downed tree blocks the road after being toppled by the winds and rain from Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bartow, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images) (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian aftermath FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida A boat is left stranded on the shore in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing "catastrophic" flooding that left officials readying a huge emergency response to a storm of rare intensity. The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the "extremely dangerous" hurricane made landfall just after 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on the barrier island of Cayo Costa, west of the city of Fort Myers. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida A man inspects damage to a marina as boats are partially submerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing "catastrophic" flooding that left officials readying a huge emergency response to a storm of rare intensity. The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the "extremely dangerous" hurricane made landfall just after 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on the barrier island of Cayo Costa, west of the city of Fort Myers. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida A man cycles through water past a downed street lamp in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing "catastrophic" flooding that left officials readying a huge emergency response to a storm of rare intensity. The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the "extremely dangerous" hurricane made landfall just after 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on the barrier island of Cayo Costa, west of the city of Fort Myers. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) (GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Stedi Scuderi looks over her apartment after flood water inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28 Lew Hendrix collects palm branches blown down by the outer bands of Hurricane Ian in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, FL, early Wednesday morning, September 28, 2022. (Ted Richardson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Frankie Romulus (L) and Kendrick Romulus stand outside of their apartment next to a boat that floated into their apartment complex when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Brennan said the boat floated in around 7pm. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida SAINT PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: A local worker cleans debris in downtown Saint Petersburg after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images) (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian batters Florida Tobacco farm owner Maritza Carpio cries next to her husband Ramon Martinez while looking at their destroyed tobacco house after the passage of Hurricane Ian in San Luis, Cuba, on September 27, 2022. - "A catastrophe", says Maritza Carpio in front of the ruins of the tobacco house on her farm in Vuelta Abajo, the land of the best tobacco in Cuba and the pillar of a vital industry for the country, converted into a jumble of logs, pitchforks and shingles in the wake of devastating Hurricane Ian. (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE / AFP) (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images) (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Carol Nies (left) and Heidi Smith survey the damage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Motorists travel across the John Ringling Causeway as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Storm debris litters a street in the wake of Hurricane Ian September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Sisters Angel Disbrow (right) and Selena Disbrow walk along the shore of a receded Tampa Bay as water was pulled out from the bay in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida A tree is uprooted by strong winds as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Local residents walk in the middle of rain and heavy wind at the St. Pete pier as the Hurricane Ian hits the west coast on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida A sailboat is beached at Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida General view of St. Pete Beach bay as strong winds from Hurricane Ian arrive on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida People watch sailboats at Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Wind gusts blow across boats in the St. Pete pier as the Hurricane Ian hits the Florida west cost on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Photos: Hurricane Ian batters Florida Brent Shaynore runs to a sheltered spot through the wind and rain from Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)