Local / Fairfax / November 5, 2025

Fairfax Rescue Team Surveys 350 Miles of Hurricane Damage

Virginia Task Force 1 deployed 34 members and four dogs to Kingston, Jamaica, in late October as international crews responded to destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

By Tysons Times Staff

Editorial illustration of Northern Virginia community life with transit, schools and local businesses — A Tysons Times illustration represents community life across Tysons and Northern Virginia. Photo: Tysons Times / AI illustration

Coverage area: Fairfax
Section: Local
Published: November 5, 2025
Topics: local, fairfax, public safety, local government

Article Text

Virginia Task Force 1 deployed 34 members and four dogs to Kingston, Jamaica, in late October as international crews responded to destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The Fairfax County urban search and rescue team joined a U.S. Department of State disaster response involving the Department of Homeland Security and a United Nations INSARAG team.

Task force members completed a 350-mile aerial survey and deployed to Black River to assess damage and residents’ needs. Their initial priorities included establishing a base of operations and coordinating with Jamaican authorities to ensure the response supported local needs.

The Virginia team also connected with personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department during the operation.

Mercy Chefs, a Portsmouth, Virginia-based disaster relief nonprofit, arrived after the task force with 20 people and 600,000 pounds of food to help feed residents during the response and recovery.

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