Texas Task Force 1 swiftwater teams demobilize

COLLEGE STATION – Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) swiftwater rescue
teams have been demobilized by the Texas Division of Emergency
Management after two days of heavy rains throughout Central and
Northeast Texas. The task force was mobilized on Wednesday morning to assist local jurisdictions after severe weather dropped as much
as 12 inches of rainfall on New Braunfels in several hours.

As the rains weaken and move out of Texas by Thursday evening,
members of Texas Task Force 1 have been demobilized and are on
their way back to their jurisdictions this evening. The deployment
was a combined effort that included the Texas Task Force 1 and the Texas Military Forces. The response included four helicopter rescue
technicians working aboard UH-60 helicopters from the Texas Military
Forces and seven swiftwater rescue teams.

“As we head into an active hurricane season, Texans are reminded that
we are constantly under threat from flash floods and citizens should
remain vigilant,” TX-TF 1 Director Bob McKee said. “The state
of Texas takes a proactive response to severe weather and so should
citizens. Texans should have an evacuation plan, prepare an emergency disaster kit, and be ready to evacuate when directed by local officials.”

This deployment was part of the State’s effort to preposition and assist
jurisdictions during this severe weather event.

About Texas Task Force 1

Texas Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and is comprised of more than 450 personnel representing more than 60 jurisdictions and agencies from across the state of Texas, and is one of 28 teams in the national urban search and rescue system under FEMA. Texas Task Force 1 and TEEX coordinate statewide requests for search and rescue.

About the Texas Engineering Extension Service

TEEX, a member of The Texas A&M University System, offers hands-on, customized, first-responder training, homeland security exercises, technical assistance and technology transfer services impacting Texas and beyond. TEEX programs include fire services, homeland security, law enforcement, public works, safety and health, search and rescue, and economic development.