TX-TF1 deploys teams to North Texas flooding
The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management has activated Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) to assist with the flooding in a three-county area in the Wichita Falls vicinity.
Ten inches of rain have been documented in several areas with almost the entire three-county area receiving 6-8 inches of rainfall.
The City of Burkburnett is surrounded by water and several people have been reported to be trapped in their homes. Rainfall began at 5 p.m. last evening in an area from Wichita Falls to Lawton, Oklahoma.
In the overnight hours, the following search and rescue assets were deployed to the area:
- 4 water strike teams (5 personnel per team)
- 3 helicopter rescue specialists working aboard Texas Military Forces UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
- 4 command and logistical support personnel with boats and equipment
In addition, TX-TF1 is coordinating with Texas Military Forces, which have 10 high-profile vehicles and helicopters on stand-by.
About Texas Task Force 1
Texas Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and is comprised of more than 400 personnel representing over 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. Texas Task Force 1 and TEEX coordinate state-wide requests for search and rescue. TEEX and the Task Force are headquartered in College Station.
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.
Jay G. Socol,
Communications Director
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Chuck Glenewinkel,
Media Relations Coordinator
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