Veterans heading to Essex County to help with tornado recovery

ESSEX, VA (WWBT) - Team Rubicon, a Veteran-led, global disaster response organization, is partnering with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and local Emergency Management Agencies to conduct disaster relief efforts in areas devastated by Wednesday's tornadoes.

Team Rubicon deployed a six-man recon team to Essex County, conducting initial surveys and assisting with initial damage assessments. The group will provide chainsaw operations, debris removal, and volunteer management operations in coordination with local authorities beginning Sunday, February 28, prioritizing the needs of affected homeowners based on level of assessed damage and proximity to the team's geographic
location.

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Beyond disaster relief, Team Rubicon helps veterans find a renewed sense of purpose—vital as many return to civilian life after more than a decade of war.

Since its inception following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon has grown from eight to nearly 35,000 volunteers and has responded to over 110 disasters, including the 2015 floods in Hays and Caldwell Counties in TX, the Nepal earthquakes, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and Hurricane Sandy.

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. The disaster relief organization offers veterans the opportunity to continue their service by helping those affected by disasters while regaining a sense of purpose,
community and identity, and empowering those affected by disasters. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.

Copyright 2016 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

Report an Error or Submit a Tip to NBC12