RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostJoel Geary, of Colorado Task Force 1 unloads a boat as the team continues to work the aftermath of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHunter Branch, left, his mother Melissa, in the boat, and his brother Justin make their way back to see the flood damage to their home after Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1 sweep a rural area by boat, which was flooded by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostAn old school house is flooded after Hurricane Florence on Sept. 17, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1 leave a neighborhood and head to another call as they work Hurricane Florence on Sept. 17, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA man rides his bike under a sign broken by high winds from Hurricane Florence, on Sept. 17, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHerman Locklear waits on his front steps for Brittany Douglas, center, a family friend, and his daughter Charmaine Locklear to row up to his house in flood water after Hurricane Florence on Sept. 17, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMatt Housley, a member of Colorado Task Force 1 from Poudre Fire in Fort Collins, steps outside to call his family on September 18, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. Drysuits hang outside to dry at the base of operations for the team after another day of working the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1 relax after a long day working the aftermath of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostCrews with Colorado Task Force 1 work late into the night planning for the next day's assignments during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1, on the swift water team, head out to check on residents during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 15, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFrom left, Jon Templeton, left, and Ian Elliot, members of Colorado Task Force 1, go door to door to check on residents during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 15, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1, on the swift water team, head out to check on residents during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 15, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
The basement of a home along the Lumber River is flooded several feet during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 16, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHalf of Interstate 95 is under flood water from Hurricane Florence on Sept. 17, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force 1, assisted by Oklahoma Task Force 1, helped rescue 5 evacuees and 4 army national guard members after a LMTV, carrying the 5 evacuees to an evacuation center, lost control on a flooded road during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 16, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFrom left, Pete Cihuniec and Adam Cooper, members of Colorado Task Force 1, try to catch a dog that got away from its owner as they go door to door checking on residents during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 16, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPower is lost in town, as Hurricane Florence move through the area, on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The Colorado Task Force I is staged in Pembroke if flooding hits the area.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA members of Colorado Task Force 1, drys out his socks on his cot during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 15, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPower was lost in the gym where Colorado Task Force One is preparing for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostSteve Aseltine, leader of Colorado Task Force One, looks over a map as his team prepares for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMembers of Colorado Task Force One talk about water and boat safety as they prepare for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostAdam Cooper, a K9 handler from Colorado Springs, left, pets his dog Tag as paramedic Fred Salazar, also from Colorado Springs, gives the dog IV fluids as members of Colorado Task Force One prepare for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. IV fluids help the dog stay healthy during his search and rescue work. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostErik Herbst, from Denver and a member of Colorado Task Force One, gets his gear ready as he and the team prepare for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA map from North Carolina Emergency Management is taped on the wall in the IPC room as Colorado Task Force One prepares for search and rescue operations during Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The task force is staged at The University of North Carolina Pembroke campus.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostCharles Oxendine sets up his generator outside his home as Hurricane Florence dumps rain on the area Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The Colorado Task Force One is staged in Pembroke if flooding hits the area.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostThe streets are empty as Hurricane Florence moves through the area Sept. 14, 2018 in Pembroke, North Carolina. The Colorado Task Force One is staged in Pembroke if flooding hits the area.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
1 of 27
Joel Geary, of Colorado Task Force 1 unloads a boat as the team continues to work the aftermath of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 18, 2018 in Lumberton, North Carolina.
Expand
By RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Lakewood-based Colorado Task Force One, deployed in North Carolina for Tropical Storm Florence, is performing rescue operations in tandem with FEMA and local officials in Lumberton and Pembroke, N.C., where the task force is based. The National Weather Service warns that the flooding could last weeks, while North Carolina officials say that this could mark the worst flooding in the state’s history.