Mass. Rescue Team Heads To Louisiana To Assist With Hurricane Rescue

A Massachusetts-based federal search and rescue team is on its way to Louisiana to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

Members of Massachusetts Task Force One left Beverly at 6 a.m. Thursday to start their 30-hour drive.

Task force section chief Tom Gatzunis says they have 45 team members and plenty of equipment with them.

"We're traveling with several boats so that we can deploy assets right into the water and help to rescue any residents that are trapped or in danger or just need to get out of harms way," he said.

Gatzunis said he hopes everyone is safe and that his team won't be needed for any rescue missions — but, he adds, "unfortunately that's probably not the reality."