New Jersey Sends Teams to Florida to Help Hurricane Matthew Response

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TRENTON — New Jersey is sending help to Florida to assist with recovery efforts from Hurricane Matthew.

Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said 80 members of New Jersey Task Force 1, comprised of highly trained police, fire and EMTs, left Joint Base MGuire-Dix-Lakehurst  for Florida late Thursday to help with the anticipated cleanup from the storm's 120 mph winds and heavy rain that has led to the evacuation of 1.5 million residents.

“Although the team being deployed to Florida represents a significant portion of the overall task force, a larger portion of the group and equipment will remain in New Jersey ready to respond to any potential emergency at home," Colonel Fuentes said.

Members of the task force will be able to assist with search and rescue especially in flood situations. according to Fuentes.

JCP&L is also sending crews to Florida to help restore power after the storm.

"With the forecast in the clear for our service area, our crews are headed to Florida to assist Florida Power & Light with Hurricane Matthew service restoration efforts," read a tweet from the utility.

FPL was one of 11 utilities that came to New Jersey after Superstorm to assist with restoration in 2012 according to WTVJ TV.