<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qqdRw_0viqVsHj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qqdRw_0viqVsHj00" width="1320" height="743" >FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, VA-TF1, has been activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.Helene is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as early as late Thursday.The team, which is expected to arrive in Florida on Wednesday, will bring more than 30 tons of equipment, including tents, boats, and specialized rescue tools to help with storm recovery efforts.Federal authorities are already taking precautions by positioning generators, food, and water supplies, while search-and-rescue and power restoration teams are standing by, according to the Associated Press.President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Florida, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has followed with his own declaration for most of the state’s counties.Helene, the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season that began June 1, could strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane.Helene is expected to become the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. so far this season. The latest update from the National Hurricane Center has the tropical storm with winds up to 60 mph southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.</div></body>

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Fairfax County search and rescue team heads to Florida as Helene intensifies

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, VA-TF1, has been activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ahead of Tropical Storm Helene. Helene is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as early as late Thursday.