COLUMBIA, Mo.—Missouri Task Force 1 is heading to Florida ahead of Hurricane Idalia making landfall. 

Forty-five members left Monday night and are traveling to Pensacola, Fla. The teams, which specialize in urban Search and rescues, could be deployed for up to two weeks. 

The Missouri group is one of seven Type III teams from across the country responding. They are also two Type I teams as well as an Incident Support Team. A Communications Specialist from Missouri is also on the way. 

The Task Force provides support to local emergency response agencies ranging from canine search to rescue specialists and heavy equipment operators. 

The Task Force has responded to several recent tragedies, including Maui wildfires, Hurricane Ian in 2022 and flooding and tornadoes in Kentucky.