Mass. sending three-person response team to Fla. to help with hurricane response

Homes destroyed by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla. Chris O'Meara/AP

Massachusetts is sending a three-person emergency response team to Florida to help with the response to Hurricane Michael, according to officials.

The team will include one employee from the state’s Department of Energy Resources and two employees from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Florida requested assistance through a national emergency management mutual aid system that facilitates state-to-state disaster assistance, according to MEMA.

At least three deaths were blamed on Michael, which is considered to be the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental US in more than 50 years.

“The Commonwealth stands at the ready to assist residents in Florida and neighboring states as they deal with the immediate and long-term impacts of Hurricane Michael,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “As this team heads to Florida, we are actively monitoring for additional requests to support response and recovery operations.”

The Massachusetts team will leave the state on Sunday and is expected to be deployed for about two weeks, according to MEMA.