WeatherHurricane

Actions

PBSO K9 team, drone unit help with search and rescue in Florida's Panhandle

Posted at
and last updated

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has a K9 team and drone unit helping with a tough task in the Panhandle, searching through rubble to recover victims.

On Tuesday, PBSO reported on social media about the discovery of two bodies during search missions in the Florida Panhandle following Hurricane Michael.

RELATED: PHOTOS | PBSO crews in the Panhandle | Family's 'HELP' sign spotted on NOAA image |  House built to survive 'the big one' still stands| Waffle House opens food truck | Donate to victims | Aerial video of destruction | Storm chaser drives into eye  

At that time, the sheriff's office said K9 Tucker found a man’s body in Mexico Beach.

About an hour after that announcement, PBSO posted on social media about a drone unit locating another body.

However, it is now unclear if those were two separate victims or the same victim because the K9 team and drone unit are working in tandem.

PBSO has removed both of those social media posts. A new post says: "In order to eliminate any confusion regarding information released on social media, regarding the recovered victim(s), all inquiries should be directed to Ruth Corley at 214-728-2697."

The Florida State Emergency Operations Center said 16 deaths in Florida are attributable to Hurricane Michael as of Oct. 16.

Twelve of those 16 fatalities occurred in Bay County, but the EOC is awaiting additional information from the county medical examiner.

"Due to difficulties resulting from damage to communication infrastructure, detailed information regarding cause of death is currently unavailable, but will be disseminated as quickly as possible upon receipt by the State Emergency Response Team," Florida State Emergency Operations Center's public information desk wrote in a statement.
 
PBSO said waters are receding and crews are concerned that more victims could be found.
 
The PBSO drone unit is also assisting the Bay County Sheriff's Office by looking for looters as well as people violating curfew.
WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters Sponsored By: Manatee Lagoon

About WPTV NewsChannel 5

Join WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters team

Jonathan Diego
JAMES_SURF_FORECAST_webgraphic.png

Surfing Blog

Surf Forecast: Minimal surf

James Wieland

2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.