Texas Task Force 1 on alert for possible deployment

Update: Texas Task Force 1 has received notice from FEMA to stand down as of 5 p.m. today. FEMA has confirmed with officials in Alabama and Georgia that US&R assets will not be needed.

COLLEGE STATION – After being placed on alert last night, Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) has received a request from FEMA to remain on alert for possible deployment in the wake of tornadoes that swept through the Southeast on Wednesday. If activated, TX-TF1 will deploy a Type I urban search & rescue task force with 80 personnel, including four canine teams and several truckloads of sophicated search equipment.

Dozens of massive tornadoes killed an estimated 250 people in six states, including more than 160 in Alabama, according to news reports.

TX-TF1 is scheduled to hold a full-scale training exercise at Disaster City this weekend. The exercise will continue as planned unless the team is deployed.