MCFR deploys task force to north Florida for aid after Hurricane Debby makes landfall

[Marion County Fire Rescue]

As Hurricane Debby makes its way through north Florida after making landfall on Monday morning, Marion County Fire Rescue’s urban search and rescue task force is stationed in Marianna to provide aid in the Big Bend region.

Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday morning near Steinhatchee, Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing 75 m.p.h. winds and major flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Marion County can expect to see impacts of 39 to 57 m.p.h. winds, 4 to 6 inches of rain, and the potential for several tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

“At 8 a.m., the center of Hurricane Debby was located near latitude 29.9 North, longitude 83.4 West.  Debby is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph,” according to NHC.

As of 8:55 a.m. Monday, Marion County is under a tropical storm warning, flash flood watch and tornado watch.

MCFR Rescue has deployed the Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8 to Marianna, Florida to provide intergovernmental aid to northern Florida in the wake of the hurricane.

MCFR, Ocala Fire Rescue and Gainesville Fire Rescue all make up Task Force 8, including technical rescue specialists.

“The team was tasked as a Type-4 USAR Task Force with Swift Water Rescue capabilities. Our task force deployed 4 boats and 13 vehicles with the ability to complete water rescues, search/rescue operations and structural damage assessments,” according to MCFR.

Locally, several waste facilities are experiencing power outages. The recycling centers in Orange Lake, Orange Springs and Citra are closed until further notice, according to Marion County.

As of 9 a.m., the water plant is also experiencing a power outage. A precautionary boil water notice for all Marion County Utilities customers in Fore Acres, Hillside Acres and Courtney Acres communities.