LANCASTER, S.C. — The flood-ravaged state of Texas has called for 100 extra search and rescue teams from out of state to help save lives in the areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
Lancaster officials have answered the call.
They are sending a dozen people, including city and county firefighters and EMTs.
Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on the Houston area and surrounding counties.
Some rivers aren't expected to crest until later in the week. In many areas, though the rains have stopped, flood waters continue to rise.
Channel 9 was there Wednesday morning when a specially trained search and rescue team in Lancaster trained in the Catawba River.
"That allows us to hone our skills a bit and keep it fresh in our minds," Matthew Broughton said.
The training exercise has been on the calendar for months, but it was timely only hours before the team was scheduled to leave for a natural disaster.
The obstacles and dangers they will face in flood waters are mostly invisible beneath the water.
That includes bacteria, raw sewage and toxic chemicals, including gas and oil spills, hazards the team is prepared for.
"You've got to be able to overcome a lot of fear and let your training take over,” Deputy Fire and Rescue Director Keith Wilson said.
During Wednesday's training on the Catawba River, the tossed a dummy into the river to practice rescues, and flipped their boat to learn how to get it back under control quickly.
(VIDEO: Crews in Lancaster practice for rescue opportunity in Texas)
There were several phone calls made throughout the day to work out logistics of where they would be based in Texas and what they will be doing.
"I wish we were there now to really start helping, because I know there are people in peril now," Wilson said.
In the afternoon, the team loaded up a trailer with supplies and checked all their rescue gear, including equipment to lift and carry injured people from damaged homes or submerged vehicles.
It's likely, after four days, that the crews already on scene are exhausted. That's why the state is seeking help from fresh rescue crews in all 50 states.
Less than two years ago, other states pitched in to help Columbia, South Carolina, recover from devastating and deadly floods.
Wilson wants to return that favor.
"People had to come help us, so it's time for us to give back, too. That's what Americans do," Wilson said.
Crews expected to leave for the 13-hour drive by early Thursday morning. They said they could be deployed there for as long as two weeks.
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