COLLEGE STATION – Texas Task Force 1 demobilized its water rescue squads and other assets after a 16-day deployment for severe weather and river flooding in Central, North and Southeast Texas.
The team was activated on May 26 by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and performed operations in 19 Texas counties, most recently working in Brazoria County.
Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 46 Texas counties.
TX-TF1 worked with response partners, Texas Military Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and Texas Department of Transportation to support and assist local responders across the state.
In conjunction with its state response partners, TX-TF1 rescued 43 people, evacuated 1,447 individuals to a safer location, and performed welfare checks on 635 people who chose to shelter-in-place. They also performed 467 assists, including helping transfer TDCJ Prison employees to and from a water-stranded prison unit.
In addition, TX-TF1 squads rescued or evacuated a large number of pets and animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, ducks, goats, pigs, geese, chickens, a pony, an emu, a mini-donkey, an armadillo, a tortoise and a newborn kitten.
Overall, TX-TF1 deployed 184 personnel, 45 vehicles, 28 boats, 25 trailers and 2 ATVs. TX-TF1 personnel supported 45 Texas Military High-Profile Vehicles and 4 Military helicopters.
TX-TF1 completed its demobilization on June 11.
About Texas Task Force 1
TX-TF1 is sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and has deployed over 90 times since 1997, including the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, Sept. 11th World Trade Center attack, and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. TX-TF1 can be activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management or as one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 28 sanctioned urban search and rescue teams.
Texas Task Force 1 Website: www.texastaskforce1.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/txtf1