DAYTON, Ohio — Ohio Task Force 1 has been activated ahead of Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to strengthen and make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The team will depart Tuesday morning and stage ahead of Idalia

  • Idalia strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday

  • Matthew 25: Ministries is also collecting donations for those who may be in the path of Idalia

OTF-1 said the activation request asked for a 47-person Type 111 Team, which includes two canines and a full equipment cache. The team will depart from Vandalia at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning and will stage ahead of the storm. The team said they will be prepared to help as necessary. 

As of Monday morning, Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings have been issued for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast. A state of emergency was declared over the weekend for 46 counties.

Early Tuesday morning, Idalia strengthened into a hurricane.

Matthew 25: Ministries, a humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization in Blue Ash, is preparing to help those affected by Idalia as well. 

"Matthew 25: Ministries will continue monitoring the path of the storm as it moves through the Gulf, and will stay in close contact with partners in the area to determine what combination of supplies and services will best serve the needs of the disaster region once the storm makes landfall," the organization said in a press release. 

In preparation, the organization is collecting donations for both those who may be in Idalia's path, as well as future disasters. 

The following products can be dropped off at 11083 Kenwood Rd. in Blue Ash, Ohio:

  • Cases of 12 or 24 water bottles
  • Personal care products, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, lotion, soap and more
  • Cleaning supplies, such as detergent, general cleaner, mops, scrub brushes and rubber gloves
  • Supplies for babies and infants, like diapers, wipes, baby wash and baby shampoo
  • First-aid items
  • Candles and flashlights
  • Clean-up supplies, such as trash bags, protective eyewear and work gloves

Matthew 25: Ministries is also taking monetary donations both online and through mail, which can be sent to 11060 Kenwood Rd. in Blue Ash, Ohio. The organization said all donated funds will go toward assistance for Tropical Storm Idalia.  

Additionally, OTF-1 announced it's headed back to Vandalia from Maui, Hawaii, where areas were devastated by wildfires.

OTF-1 was originally activated on Aug. 15 with three handler/dog teams. They began work on Lahaina on Aug. 17, helping teams sort through the aftermath of the wildfires.

According to Maui police, at least 115 people have died from the wildfires.

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