The Lakewood-based Colorado Task Force One, deployed in North Carolina for Tropical Storm Florence, has performed more than two dozen rescues so far on Saturday, the West Metro Fire rescue agency tweeted.
Heavy rains continue to batter Lumberton and Pembroke, N.C., where the task force is based. Rivers are expected to top record levels in the coming days.
The Colorado crew of 45 first responders drove east Wednesday to assist with search-and-rescue missions during the storm. The task force is working in tandem with FEMA and local officials. They have been stationed at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, roughly 80 miles from the coast. Some areas of Pembroke have up to two feet of water.
The gym on campus, where the task force is staying, has stayed relatively dry thus far, but the roof has started to leak. As of 12:30 a.m. EDT, some crew members were still out on search missions, while others lay on their cots.
Officials have blamed 11 deaths on the storm thus far, which has dropped 30 inches of rain on North Carolina. The storm is forecasted to stall over the state, a development that could add another 15 inches of rain.
The head of the North Carolina Department of Transportation has asked travelers from the north and south to avoid driving through the state entirely.
Colorado Task Force One (CO-TF-1) has performed more than two dozen rescues so far today. Continued heavy rain in the Lumberton and Pembroke, North Carolina area. Rivers expected to top record levels in the next day or two.
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire)
