Alabama Rescue Workers Head to Texas for Disaster Relief
Governor Kay Ivey has announced that a team of rescue workers from Alabama will arrive in Texas today to aid in disaster relief efforts.
Last week, Governor Ivey revealed the deployment of a 40-member Alabama Search and Rescue squad following a catastrophic flood that claimed over 100 lives. The first contingent, known as Alabama Task Force 1, set out on July 10, accompanied by officials from the Tuscaloosa and Saraland Fire Stations. This diverse team is trained to handle various hazards, focusing on locating, accessing, stabilizing, and rescuing survivors from affected areas. They also bring specialized expertise in medical assistance, search operations, hazardous materials, and communications.
In her announcement, Ivey emphasized Alabama’s commitment to supporting Texas, especially in light of the tragic loss of two Alabamians in the floods. She extended her prayers to the families affected and highlighted the dedication of the teams engaged in rescue operations.
“We deployed our search and rescue team to Texas. We are grateful to everyone who participates in our mission. We pray for their safety and success. Alabama is doing all we can to lend a helping hand to Texas,” she stated.
The second group of Alabama rescue crews was dispatched as part of the Alabama Mutual Aid Systems Task Force 2 over the weekend. This team includes personnel from several fire departments, such as Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook, along with support from the Alabama Department of Emergency Management. They are equipped with two Swift Water Rescue teams prepared for water rescue operations if needed.
This team, often referred to as Task Force 2, had previously been mobilized for recovery efforts in Asheville, North Carolina, following Hurricane Helen. The deployment to Texas is anticipated to last up to two weeks.
Search efforts resumed on Sunday and are expected to continue, even though operations in Carr County, Texas, faced temporary setbacks due to heavy rain and potential new flooding.
