Knoxville firefighters home from Tropical Storm Debby rescue efforts in chest-deep water

Twelve members of the Knoxville Fire Department swift water team are home after helping in South Carolina with rescue and cleanup from Tropical Storm Debby.

Crew members arrived Aug. 5 with two boats and a support trailer, ready to help as floodwaters rose from the dangerous storm. By the time they arrived, the infrastructure was so damaged that they had to use their own own generator, bedding and supplies.

They spent the week helping with door-to-door evacuations in Dorchester and Florence counties, crew member Robby Copas told Knox News. Shortly after they arrived, they rescued an adult, child and dog from their home.

"(The water) was up high enough to be in their house," Copas said. "It was generally knee-deep to chest-deep water. We use high-water vehicles when we can, but when we're getting into some water that's chest-deep, we have to get them out with some boats."

Copas said they saw their role as a way to take some pressure off local fire and rescue crews that had been working around the clock.

"Their guys have been on the line since Sunday and Monday," Copas said Aug. 12. "It gets them a little bit of downtime so when they do come back, they're at full staff so they can handle their everyday needs."

Dorchester County received the most rainfall in the state, according to the National Weather Service. Two municipalities in Dorchester got more than 18 inches as of Aug. 9.

"We're just grateful to be able to come over and provide some help," Copas said.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville firefighters home from Tropical Storm Debby rescue efforts in chest-deep water