Oklahoma crew heads to coast ahead of hurricane

Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall late Wednesday night

TULSA — Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) announced Wednesday that Oklahoma Task Force 1 US&R team is going to Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Laura.

"In times of need, the State of Louisiana has faithfully stepped up to help our state and people, and we in turn do the same," said Gov. Stitt. 

Governor Stitt says the 35-person team has personnel from Tulsa Fire, Tulsa Police, Broken Arrow Fire, Owasso Fire, Sand Springs Fire, Verdigris Fire and the Grand River Dam Authority.

 Andy Little with TFD says team members are trained in rescuing people from floodwaters and rooftops.

Little says they look forward to sharpening their skills.

“We train and we train and we train, but we don’t have hurricanes here,” said Little.

The crew is bringing vehicles, boats and equipment.