On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel was predicted to move through the Virginia and Maryland areas. In preparation for the storm, Hughesville’s volunteers assembled and assigned multiple crews ready to respond to any incident that may arise. A Command Post was established and everything was as ready as it could possibly be.

Once the storm hit and throughout the long night, the crews responded to calls for help ranging from trees and wires down, trees on houses and blocking roads and motor vehicle collisions. All throughout Thursday night and Friday morning, the crews stayed extremely busy, answering over 50 calls for help in a 12-hour time period. Late Friday morning, the toll of the storm took affect on the Hughesville volunteers causing them to crashed and nap where ever they could find a dry and empty spot.

The efforts from the volunteers were outstanding and helped keep the area as calm as we could as the angry hurricane wrecked through our area. Unfortunately, while returning from a call during the height of the storm, our new Engine 23 crested a hill in a dark area, without power, and struck a tree that had just fallen across the road. Everyone on-board the apparatus escaped injury, however the apparatus suffered minor damage to the front end.

The Department Chief would like to extend his special thanks and appreciation to all 43 members who helped staff our station and provided yet another exceptional effort with keeping our citizens safe from disaster and helping to comfort them in their time of need.