Category five hurricanes are starting to become an event that America is slightly desensitized to. Huntington’s Marine Safety Unit has been deployed to both Florida and Texas to aide in the relief and rescue efforts.

“We are always ready to go where the help is needed, that is what we signed up to do and that is what we want to do,” said Chief Petty Officer John Mitchell.

With over 800 people rescued between the two states, the team was hard at work for days at a time. Waist to chest deep water filled the streets of so many neighborhoods that weren’t only flooded with water but flooded with people in need of rescuing.

“We definitely expected to help that many people,” said Petty Officer Blake Roberts. “People don’t want to leave their homes and lives so they try to stick it out, it doesn’t work.”

With Harvey and Irma gone, people are starting to piece together their lives the best that they can. More storms in the Atlantic are posing a threat to the damaged islands and coastlines of the southern states and can cause catastrophic damage to already broken cities.

“It really is sad to see what these storms have done to these homes and cities,” Mitchell said. “It really makes you grateful for what you have.”

There is a long road ahead for the people that were affected but the Marine Safety Unit from Barboursville did all they could to save the lives of those in need. Multiple trips have been completed this year by the team and many more are looming.

Hurricane season is in full swing but so is the Coast Guard Unit in Barboursville. They are ready the second the storms hit.

Brooke Griffin can be contacted at [email protected].