Urban Search and Rescue Missouri Task Force 1 is deployed in Eastern Kentucky, United States.
On July 27, 2022, very heavy rainfall hit parts of eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia, including surrounding Appalachia communities, resulting in widespread and record flooding. The flooding has resulted in 25 fatalities, with several reportedly missing. In response to the flooding, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency. On July 29, President Biden declared the flooding as a major disaster in Kentucky and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
Urban Search and Rescue Missouri Task Force 1 (MO-TF1) is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in Boone County, Missouri. The task force is sponsored by the Boone County Fire Protection District and is designated as the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Response Team for the state of Missouri. Missouri Task Force 1 is headed to eastern Kentucky to help in the aftermath of flooding that has devastated the area. The task force, which is part of the Boone County Fire Protection District, was deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A crew of 45 people left around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, bringing vehicles, supplies and equipment, including boats, to help flood victims. The task force has “significant water rescue capabilities” and will aid in search and rescue missions as well as welfare checks. Ohio Task Force 1, Indiana Task Force 1 and Tennessee Task Force 1 are already in the affected area.