Missouri Task Force 1 was deployed Friday morning to assist with swift water rescues after catastrophic flooding in southeastern Missouri, according to a news release from the Boone County Fire Protection District.

Iron County and northern Reynolds County both requested state mutual aid for multiple campgrounds with campers needing to be rescued, said Bob Gerwel, Central County Emergency 911 Operations manager.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at First Assembly of God Church, 2124 Highway 21 in Centerville, for people affected by flash flooding, according to a Red Cross news release.

Select Missouri Task Force 1 command staff members from the St. Louis area are responding directly to Sikeston. The remainder of the task force is from Boone County Fire Protection District Headquarters in Columbia.

The team will deploy with 50 highly trained members and more than 100,000 pounds of specialized equipment and rescue boats, according to the news release.

Additionally, Missouri Task Force 1 is deploying a Disaster Situation Awareness and Reconnaissance Mission Ready Package, which will help support operational decision-making and resource deployment, according to the release.

A flash flood warning was issued early Friday morning for northwest and southern Iron County and northwest Reynolds County prior to the aid requests, said Brad Charbonneau with the National Weather Service.

Updates on Missouri Task Force 1’s deployment will be provided through Boone County Fire Protection District’s social media platforms.

The organization said identification and proof of residency are not required to enter a Red Cross shelter. People affected by the flooding can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or use the Red Cross Emergency app for shelter updates and resources.