No matter where you are geographically located in America, you likely learned about Hurricane Helene, the daunting devastation, and the waves of first responders who braved the life-threatening elements to roll out rescue operations—as always.
In my Tampa Bay county, Emergency Operations Center managers provided data after Hurricane Helene made her way north, saying, “Over the course of just 8 hours, our crews completed more than 500 rescues, responded to 47 structure fires —including 6 working fires— and conducted 2 rooftop rescues in Town and Country due to severe flooding. To name a few things, there were also 5 sinking vehicles with people trapped inside, 11 car accidents, and three car fires.
“Our Tactical Search and Rescue Teams were dispatched to 103 calls, while our Emergency Dispatch Center handled over 300 calls for service in this short window. The dedication and bravery of our first responders are unmatched, and we continue to stand strong together as a community during these challenging times.”
I hunkered down as Helene’s trek carved along the west coast of Florida, pushing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico inland. Helene was like a gigantic umbrella coasting over the Gulf…except the rain was not on the top side but the bottom.
Purple rain? Weather-reporting professionals were curious about Helene’s coloration captured by satellite.
All the meteorological stuff is fascinating. What riveted me, though, was the unrelenting social media posts from myriad law enforcement agencies, exhibiting all the righteous work being done posthaste.
I read several posts from various law enforcement agencies whose sworn and non-commissioned personnel volunteered to come in on their days off, hugged their loved ones, gave goodbyes, and headed back out…to help safeguard others encountering dire circumstances.
Given that LEOs in Florida often live within the jurisdiction they police, their property is subjected to the same utter destruction as those they are out there trying to salvage.
According to the Tampa Police Benevolent Association, “8 Tampa Police officers and their families have been displaced from their homes following Hurricane Helene.”
In Hillsborough County, sheriff’s office cadets in training also pitched in, in one case responding to clean up and attempt restoration of a deputy’s home lashed by Helene’s unstoppable plow. The damage from flood waters is evident.
From Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister (who was out in the field with all his deputies during Hurricane Helene mitigation and rescue efforts):
“Many deputies kept the community safe while #HurricaneHelene damaged their homes. Today, our cadets care for impacted #teamHCSO deputies and help with cleanup and repairs. It is a humbling reminder about what service truly is for the cadets.”
The administration of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association posted a plea on behalf of LEOs whose homes were hit hard while they were banded together and out helping others during Helene’s impact and thereafter…
“REQUESTING GENERATORS. To our philanthropic community and law enforcement supporters: We have many law enforcement officers who are going to work to help others while they are still without power at their homes. If you have a generator that you would be willing to LEND to one of these law enforcement families, please email Sasha@suncoastpba.com. They would be so grateful for a running refrigerator and operational laundry. This is a request for generators ONLY at this time.”
Water, water everywhere…Hurricane Helene didn’t care. And Hillsborough County deputies had an ideal answer for waterborne rescue operations…of the amphibious kind.
(Photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.)
Look at those wheels! With a series of fin-like features to propel through water, and seating compartments up high enough to spot and pluck people and safely transport them to drier terrain, the SHERPs come with custom-crafted trailers for transport from the sheriff’s compound to wherever they are needed.
From an HCSO spokesperson: “From high-water rescue vehicles to advanced communication systems, we have every tool available to help residents in need. Our dedicated deputies are out there, ready to serve when it matters most!”
I replayed brief footage several times of what these amphibious law enforcement vessels look like in action.
And it is not just torrents of rain and surges of seawater that dampened peoples’ lives and possessions. Downed trees are always a major challenge hindering the efforts of first responders trying to get through and provide salvation to trapped individuals.
Headed to rescue operation after rescue operation, a Hillsborough County deputy was dramatically pinned in his cruiser after a tree came crashing down…on the driver’s side!
(Photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.)
Gratefully, that deputy survived!
“…as Hurricane Helene approached, a large oak tree fell on top of a patrol Tahoe, with our deputy inside. Thankfully he was able to get out through the passenger side of the vehicle and was not injured,” said Sheriff Chronister.
As in any aftermath operation, hard work is encountered. In many cases along the coast, the scene was apocalyptic-like, with cars buried in several feet of sand and the dig-out done by first responders using traditional shovels and small earthmoving equipment.
World-renowned Clearwater Beach will be closed indefinitely, a city assessment report declared.
Clearwater cops and fire/rescue personnel banded together and conducted a bevy of high-water rescues, many involving senior citizens.
Cops and firefighters in Clearwater also fought fires after rescuing residents from dwellings.
(Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department.)
One of the ironies before any hurricane is the widely needed supply of sand to fill bags, line them at thresholds, and stack them to serve as barriers against voluminous amounts of water. As mentioned, many cars were significantly buried by sand from the beaches that ordinarily serve as tourist spots and magnificent views.
Here is a close-up of a vehicle dug out by first responders:
(Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department.)
Given the angle of the sand lines, I suspect the car’s engine may have various dilemmas despite cops’ shovels freeing it up from granular invasion. At least it was unoccupied.
A neighbor in my community shared: “I lost a condo over there [Treasure Island] and they won’t even let anyone on the island because it’s under 3 ft of sand.” A slideshow posted by Loving St. Pete gives a glimpse.
Despite the Hillsborough County deputy who was surreally challenged by a tree (when it came crashing down atop his cruiser), scores of state troopers equipped with chainsaws swarmed the highways and byways to chunk trees and whittle down unwieldy branches so that pavement was free of debris and passable.
(Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.)
Post-Hurricane Helene, our friends at K9s of Valor posted a montage of rescues by first responders and the following written assessment:
“Hurricane Helene slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 Hurricane packing winds of 140+ MPH and a 20-foot storm surge. As of Friday evening, there have been at least 41 deaths reported in 4 states as a direct result of Helene, including several first responders. This number will continue to rise as first responders and search and rescue teams from around the world head to the areas hardest hit by Helene .
“We want to take a moment to thank all of our first responders, including members of the US Coast Guard and civilian Search and Rescue teams, deploying to help save lives.”
Once again, America’s first responders unhesitatingly showed up and put forth every ounce of energy to salvage lives and help survivors to a recuperative journey.
“We need to stick together and help each other out during times like this. And please don’t forget to thank the first responders you see working hard in your neighborhoods. These men and women will be the last to ask for help, but you may be surprised how much a kind word and encouragement can mean,” a K9s of Valor spokesperson reminded.
Indeed, after Helene was far enough away, the deputies working at intersections to regulate vehicular flow where traffic signals were inoperable, and flooding was prohibitive, remained in such an unenviable position. Relief is very different when a natural disaster strikes; all-hands on deck is the general order.
Graciously, merchants operating food trucks (previously relocated inland to avoid being water-logged or swiftly swept away) set up where deputies were working, feeding and rehydrating them…along with residents displaced due to severe flooding.
Unsurprisingly, once Helene moved far enough away from counties whose first responders endured the inclement thrashing, sheriffs and police chiefs dispatched cadres of LEOs to worse-off counties, to help with mitigation and provide aid wherever needed.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook reassessed her jurisdiction’s stability after deputies’ round-the-clock salvation efforts and decided to band together with hardest-hit Taylor County law enforcement in Florida’s Panhandle:
“Once we had the all-clear in Clay County, our deputies headed to Taylor County to assist. The devastation along the coast is surreal. Our [deputies] are handling patrol duties, checkpoints, water patrol, and serving as a Forward Operating Team for the Florida Sheriff’s Association,” said Sheriff Cook.
With Helene, law enforcement officers are at yet another type of ground zero, working together to restore semblance due to Mother Nature upending the landscape after hovering over the seascape, accelerating intensely toward a population vulnerable to such organic realities.
(Photo courtesy of the National Fraternal Order of Police.)
Note the red, white, and blue in the background: “And our flag was still there…” along with the men and women in uniform, who never back down, whether called upon or not.
Per the National FOP: “To all the dedicated law enforcement officials working tirelessly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we appreciate your commitment and courage in keeping our communities safe during this challenging time. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.”
The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) echoed: “Thank you to all law enforcement and first responders across the state of Florida that continue to go above and beyond in assisting their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Truly amazing work!”
Amazing indeed but not surprising at all. Oath fulfilled…again, by a band of brothers and sisters who forge forward, confronting tremendous perils posed by natural disaster.
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