Local search and rescue volunteers leave to help in Louisiana

Local crews to provide hurricane relief

Empact Northwest is deploying its urban search and rescue team to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to help with Hurricane Laura relief.

SEATTLE - A non-profit group departed to Louisiana Thursday morning to help with search and rescue efforts after Hurricane Laura made landfall overnight.

Eight members of Empact Northwest deployed from SeaTac around 7 a.m.

The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit will meet up with 3 other members that headed to Louisiana Wednesday. The full team consists of 11 volunteers including medical personnel, a logistics unit, two trained canines and swift water rescue specialists.

Keith Davis is a K9 handler with Empact Northwest and says this will be the third deployment for his K9 Asher. He says their biggest concern is the water surge. Keith says when they responded in the Bahamas, the water had already receded, so they are worried about the contaminants and the dangers that come with the high waters.

Davis says Asher is fully prepared with flotation devices, life jackets and booties.
While in Louisiana, Empact Northwest will also be working to supplement other crews like the Cajun Navy.

The organization is a non-profit, so it relies on donations to do these kinds of missions. Click here to donate.