Update on Hurricane Alex deployment – 7/2/2010

As the remnants of Hurricane Alex weaken and move inland over northeastern Mexico, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has demobilized the Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) -Type I search and rescue team and the Texas Task Force 2 (Dallas) – Type III team, which were staged in Kingsville. However, the TX-TF1 Type III team and 9 swift water rescue teams will remain in the Rio Grande Valley and continue assessments in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties until at least Saturday.

Two rescues were performed by Task Force members. The water rescue teams will be ready to assist local jurisdictions if needed due to possible flooding as ongoing rainfall in Mexico has the potential of creating heavy flow into the Rio Grande River and its tributaries.

The Texas Rapid Response Task Force (RRTF) Austin, which was staged in San Antonio, has also demobilized. As operations moved into the recovery phase on Thursday, the Public Works Response Team (PWRT) Assessment Strike Team deployed a six-person team to the Rio Grande Valley via the McAllen Disaster District Committee to perform any public works assessments requested by local officials. PWRT demobilized this morning (7/2/2010).

Hurricane Alex Deployment by the Numbers

  • Hurricane Alex is TX-TF1’s 81st deployment since 1997.
  • Hurricane Alex is the 9th deployment involving over 100 search and rescue personnel.
  • Hurricane Alex is the 7th deployment for TX-TF1 this year.
  • Since 1997, 80% of the TX-TF1 deployments have involved rain, tropical storms or hurricanes.
  • Hurricane Alex is the 29th deployment due to a hurricane.