Texas Task Force 1 swiftwater teams demobilize as Rio Grande flooding recedes

COLLEGE STATION – Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) swiftwater and helicopter rescue teams were demobilized this morning (July 12) by the Texas Division of Emergency Management after a four-day deployment to South Texas for widespread flooding along the Rio Grande. The Texas Public Works Response Team still has members assessing damage and assisting local public works officials with restoring public utilities and flood recovery efforts. Both teams are sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service.

The task force was mobilized on July 8 to assist local jurisdictions with search and rescue operations along the Rio Grande affected by flooding following rains from hurricane Alex and another tropical depression that brought additional rain late last week. Over the past three days, the team has assisted with a number of ground and aerial assessments of flooded areas and a dramatic rescue of a horse that was trapped in the mud and rising waters.

Members of TX-TF1 are expected to arrive back to College Station by mid-afternoon and then will depart for their home jurisdictions this evening. The TX-TF1 deployment was a combined effort that included six swiftwater teams and two helicopter rescue teams working with the Texas Military Forces aboard UH-60 helicopters.

About Texas Task Force 1
Texas Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), 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. Headquartered in College Station, 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.