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    PHOTOS: Chesterfield firefighters in action in southwest Virginia during Helene

    By Ryan Nadeau,

    2024-09-28

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=20o1It_0vmda1hh00

    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Firefighters with Chesterfield County Fire & EMS were on the ground in southwestern Virginia on Friday, lending locals a hand as Helene brought heavy rain and flooding to the region .

    On Friday, Sept. 27, much of Virginia saw storms and poor weather conditions — but the western portion of the state was hit especially hard, from tornados to significant flooding. As of the time of reporting, at least two people in western Virginia were injured by storms and there are two confirmed deaths.

    A woman in Craig County was killed when a barn and tree were knocked down by strong winds. No additional details are known on the second death, but the Virginia Department of Health said it was someone in western Virginia .

    RELATED: The James River levels could rise to flood stages as Tropical Storm Helene heads up North

    Two specialized teams staffed by Chesterfield firefighters were deployed on Thursday, Sept. 26 to southwestern Virginia so they could be on the ground when this severe weather hit.

    By Friday night, one such team — the Virginia Task Force 8 Urban Search & Rescue (VA-TF8), which was deployed to Wytheville — had aided with 7 evacuations and 4 rescues in flooded areas. This included the rescue of 10 adults, one child, five dogs and a cat.

    Below are several photos of this 19-person team in action.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=39pRNh_0vmda1hh00
    A Chesterfield firefighter with the Virginia Task Force 8 (VA-TF8) saving a dog in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2CAU1o_0vmda1hh00
    Flooding in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=47cXfa_0vmda1hh00
    The Virginia Task Force 8 (VA-TF8), staffed by Chesterfield firefighters, on the ground performing rescues in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2KbqKc_0vmda1hh00
    The Virginia Task Force 8 (VA-TF8), staffed by Chesterfield firefighters, on the ground performing rescues in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4c2dK4_0vmda1hh00
    Flooding in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=20V1yJ_0vmda1hh00
    The Virginia Task Force 8 (VA-TF8), staffed by Chesterfield firefighters, on the ground performing rescues in southwestern Virginia during storms surrounding Helene. (Photo: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)

    According to fire officials, this team is staffed by members of the county’s Scuba Rescue and Technical Rescue teams, a safety officer and a battalion chief.

    Not pictured above but still staffed by Chesterfield firefighters, the Virginia Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (VAHART) was deployed to Roanoke on Thursday. They operate Blackhawk helicopters and can assist with rescues on difficult terrain.

    Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.

    Related Search

    Virginia stormsFlooding in VirginiaFirefighter rescuesHeavy rainUrban search & rescueHelene impact

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