VANDALIA — Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1) has been activated in response to heavy flooding in Kentucky and surrounding states that has left at least eight people dead.
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OH-TF1 was activated Saturday evening as a Type III team and will remain in “a state of readiness” at their Vandalia headquarters until they are needed, according to a press release.
On Sunday, they announced that they’d been requested to move toward Frankfort, Kentucky.
“Their exact destination will be communicated as they travel,” a post on their social media page read.
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The team of 47 members left their Vandalia headquarters around 10:30 a.m.
Heavy rain triggered flooding in southwestern Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky on Saturday.
The Associated Press reported that eight people have died in flood-related deaths in Kentucky.
The Associated Press also reported that most of the deaths, including a mother and 7-year-old child, were caused by cars getting stuck in high water.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the flooding has left hundreds of people stranded.
The OH-TF1 activation follows the activation of Indiana Task Force 1 as a Type III task force on Saturday.
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