PUBLIC SAFETY

Indiana Task Force 1 going to Louisiana ahead of Tropical Storm Sally

Vic Ryckaert
Indianapolis Star

Indiana Task Force 1 is sending 35 urban search and rescue experts to Louisiana as the southeastern U.S. braces for Tropical Storm Sally to strengthen to a hurricane.

The team of area firefighters and other public safety specialists was scheduled to leave Indiana about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and arrive in Baton Rouge by noon Monday.

"The team will be taking a full cache of equipment for operations which include capabilities for structural collapse and water rescue," Task Force 1 officials said in a news release.

Indiana Task Force 1 members undergo regular training to prepare for deployment to disaster zones.

Tropical Storm Sally drenched parts of South Florida Sunday and was expected to gather strength and make landfall Monday night in the northern Gulf Coast, USA Today reported.

Forecasters say the storm will strengthen to a hurricane with winds up to 100 mph as it roars towards Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, according to USA Today.

Contact IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at 317-444-2701 or vic.ryckaert@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.