‘Unlike anything we have seen in Florida,' says Orlando firefighter of devastation in Texas

BEAUMONT, Texas — Roughly two-dozen firefighters from Central Florida are either on the ground or in the water helping victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Orlando firefighters have shared pictured showing their rescue efforts and the devastation that struck the city.

“We're helping people in their homes that didn't expect to be flooded out, that now have been cut off. We're helping them get to higher ground and shelters,” said Lt. Craig Hulette of the Orlando Fire Department.

He during a phone interview that the storm is among the worst he's experienced.

“This is unlike anything that we have seen in Florida,” he said. “Ivan was a lot of devastation but the amount of flooding here is like we haven't seen since Katrina.”

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The crew from Task Force 4 includes firefighters from Orange and Seminole counties, as well as Clermont, Orlando and Winter Park. They made roughly 50 rescues on Tuesday alone.

Other emergency responders from Central Florida are helping, too. The 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force base rescued about 50 people as well.

“We are being as compassionate and helpful as we can and we're accommodating as many of their needs as we can,” Hulette said.

The firefighters are stationed near Beaumont, Texas.

They brought their own equipment, including a kitchen and boats, but the lieutenant said they're prepared to use anything that floats to help get people out.

The lieutenant said it's tough to see some of the residents who have lost all of their possessions.

They’re searching homes for people who haven't been heard from, and people who didn't anticipate flooding.

They arrived Monday and will stay for about a week.

Cox Media Group