AUSTIN, Texas  – At the request of Gov. Greg Abbott, through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), approximately 150 citizen-soldiers with the Texas Military Department’s Texas Army National Guard and Texas State Guard were mobilized in support of the severe weather and flooding in Jasper, Orange and Newton counties. Initial response crews mobilized to Jasper County, March 11, 2016.
Currently, UH-60 Blackhawk and LUH-72 Lakota air crews remain prepositioned on standby in Beaumont to assist with any emergency search and rescue, swift water rescues and/or emergency evacuations. In addition, Texas Army National Guardsmen have been activated to support local and state agencies with any request for swift water rescues, high water ground transportation and personnel evacuation needs. Members of the Texas State Guard are mobilized to support local shelter operations in Newton and Orange counties.
“This is what we train for,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Hamilton, Commander of Domestic Operations Task Force. “And we’re proud to stand beside our civilian partners, first responders and volunteers to serve the citizens of Texas.”
Texas Guardsmen have conducted approximately 60 missions, rescuing 35 civilians and evacuating more than 120 personnel thus far. The Texas Military Department continues to work with TDEM to project additional personnel and equipment requirements as needed should the flooding continue into next week.
“This is Texans helping Texans – neighbors helping neighbors,” Hamilton said. “While we don’t want to have to put our training to the test during a tragedy, our citizen-soldiers remain prepared to help save lives and property, when called.”