WASHINGTON — Fairfax County’s Virginia Task Force 1 has wrapped up its mission in South Carolina, after a grueling week helping victims of dangerous and devastating flooding across the state.

“A lot of the challenges were the fact that they weren’t sure how quickly the water would recede,” says Battalion Chief Chris Schaff.

The team had 80 members in the state, equipped with vehicles, boats and search dogs.

“They took boats that were capable operating in swift water. As well as boats that were capable of operating on still water, to assess and make rescues or evacuations of people that had become trapped,” he says.

Team members combed through communities, assessing 17,000 homes and structures, as well as 1,300 miles of roadways and bridges.

They also worked with utility companies to help restore power.

 

[audio mp3="http://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2-search-rescue-amo.mp3" title="A search and rescue team comes homes to cheers after a week in South Carolina" author="WTOP's Andrew Mollenbeck reports"][/audio]