Ohio Task Force 1 remains in Kentucky, enters 12th day of flood response

Ohio Task Force 1 has now been in Kentucky for 12 days.

The urban search and rescue team completed its search and rescue mission near Breathitt County and has moved into a staging area near Lexington.

>> RELATED: Kentucky Flooding: Ohio Task Force 1 group moves focus to ground search for the missing

With rain in the forecast, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has requested that the 45 member team and other FEMA assets to remain in place as many of the state’s rivers are at or above flood levels.

Team members have spent time cleaning and repairing equipment to keep it in top working order and have conducted training exercises to sharpen their skills while awaiting any new assignment.

“The team stays busy while staged. We take advantage of every minute together to work on rehabilitating equipment and preparing for the next call for assistance. We also take a large part of each day to train as a team. It is valuable time for the group,” Task Force Leader Adam Landis said.

While traveling to Lexington, OH-TF1 members encountered a stranded motorist along the highway, according to a release

“It is not often a driver who breaks down has the luck of meeting a highly trained, 45-member search and rescue team in their moment of need,” said Jim O’Connor, a Task Force Leader and HazMat Manager for this deployment. “The team was able to get the motorist safely back on the road and celebrated the opportunity to serve, even in small ways.”

No return date has been set for the team at the time of this reporting.

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