WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- The Maryland Task Force 1 (MDTF-1) deployed on Thursday to assist families impacted by tornadoes and severe storms in Lexington, Ky. Overnight, tornadoes and violent winds flattened homes and tore through buildings in the South and Midwest areas of the U.S. The strong winds and tornadoes resulted in the deaths of at least six people in western Tennessee and multiple injuries in Kentucky, according to the Associated Press. Montgomery County police conduct nearly 300 traffic stops along Route 29 corridor In response, the MDTF-1's Urban Search and Rescue Team was placed on standby on Wednesday. Immediately, crews began preparing for their trip by packing caravans with equipment and supplies. In an update on Thursday afternoon, the task force's Urban Search & Rescue team was activated, and the team left Maryland to travel to Kentucky. The 45-member team includes first responders from D.C. and Maryland. It is unclear how long the task force will remain deployed. ...read more read less