TX-TF1 returns from response to flooding in Rio Grande Valley

TX-TF1 logoCOLLEGE STATION — Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) demobilized today (June 22, 2018) after three days of search and rescue, evacuation and other life-safety operations in the Rio Grande Valley after heavy rains caused flooding in the region. The team was activated on June 19 by Gov. Greg Abbott through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to assist local jurisdictions.
The deployment included six TX-TF1 water rescue squads, two Division Supervisors and Field Incident Technicians, six helicopter Search & Recue Technicians (HSART) and one HSART manager to staff three Texas Military Department UH-60 Blackhawk hoist-capable helicopters and one LUH-72 Lakota hoist-capable helicopter. Two TX-TF1 members also deployed to TDEM’s State Operations Center in Austin.

Working with other state partners, TX-TF1 evacuated more than 150 Texans and seven pets, and also performed welfare checks on more than 50 additional people choosing to shelter-in-place.

TX-TF1 worked with state response partners from the Texas Military Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Department of Public Safety to support the flood water operations along the Gulf Coast. The Texas Military Department provided two Ground Transportation Companies to assist with high-profile vehicles.
About Texas Task Force 1
TX-TF1 is sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and has deployed over 100 times since 1997. The team can be activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management or as one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 28 sanctioned urban search and rescue teams.