Specialized water rescue team heads to coast to help with evacuations along US 17
A specialized water rescue team assisted with local evacuations Saturday off of U.S. Highway 17 near the Pamlico Sound in Beaufort County.
16 members of NCTF-8’s Swift Water Team are making these rescues. The group is comprised of Raleigh Fire, Durham Fire, Chapel Hill Fire and Wake EMS.
The team deployed to Williamston Friday night to help as needed with relief efforts.
Many people needed rescue as Tropical Storm Ophelia moved through North Carolina on Saturday. One car slid underwater Friday in New Bern as the driver attempted to cross a flooded road to deliver a pizza.
"Unfortunately, I don't think the people got their pizza, but he's doing good," said one emergency worker.
The Swift crews were able to move assets to a less affected area from a more affected area, according to one Swift Team member.
"Sometime they are a big issue, sometimes they're not," said one Swift Team member. "We try to be ahead of the game and get things ready so that we're prepared."
The swells have subsided near Wrightsville Beach, but ocean rescue said the risk for rip currents remains and are asking people to remain cautious about going into the water.
