As catastrophic floods devastate the Texas Hill Country, the Houston Fire Department has deployed teams to assist search and rescue efforts in Kerr County, where 13 are confirmed dead, and over 20 children are unaccounted for.
The Houston Fire Department is dispatching two teams to assist in search and rescue operations nearly 300 miles away in Kerr County, where devastating floods have ravaged the Texas Hill Country, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and leaving over 20 children unaccounted for at a summer camp.
Four members from HFD’s Tactical Deployment Unit and an engine have been sent to support first responders dealing with severe flooding, while an additional three firefighters are joining Texas A&M Task Force One, a FEMA-affiliated search and rescue team.
“In times of crisis, we frequently witness assistance flowing into Houston during floods, and we take pride in being able to extend our support to others when they require it,” stated Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz on Friday.
The City of Houston has announced that tactical team members are en route to the flood-affected area and are expected to receive their assignments either late Friday or early Saturday. Muñoz informed the press that the deployment teams were approximately two hours away from San Antonio as of Friday afternoon, though their exact destinations remained unknown.
Three more firefighters from HFD are joining Texas A&M Task Force One, gathering in College Station to receive further instructions as search and rescue efforts persist in the region, which has been heavily affected after the Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet overnight due to intense rainfall.
“The devastation and impact on the communities in Central Texas is heartbreaking,” Muñoz stated. “Our firefighters are prepared to aid in the continuous search for missing children and provide assistance to residents impacted by these catastrophic floods.”
The Houston teams are part of a significant effort that includes state and federal agencies, such as the Texas National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard, as emergency crews work swiftly to rescue individuals trapped by floodwaters and locate the missing campers at Camp Mystic.
