AUSTIN, Texas (September 4, 2017) –The Texas Military Department, alongside National Guard personnel from across the country and our active duty military partners, is transitioning to the critical life support and logistics support phase of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Embed opportunities are available for media to view the full spectrum of these operations.
“As search and rescue operations slow, the Texas Military Department will continue to assist local, state and federal agencies in this new phase of operations,” said Texas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols. “Along with our National Guard and active duty partners, we’re bringing in new resources to bear for the critical life support and logistics support mission.”
The Texas National Guard has set up approximately 30 points of distribution (PODs) for food, water and other vital commodities between Beaumont and Corpus Christi, with many more opening in the days ahead. Additionally, 35 active Texas State Guard Shelter Teams are sheltering more than 8,000 evacuees at 13 shelters across the state and the Texas National Guard has three evacuation hubs. Our National Guard partners from other states are also playing a central role in this new mission.
“The array of military forces on the ground demonstrates the joint nature of this relief effort,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick Hamilton, the Dual Status Commander of the Hurricane Harvey relief effort. “We are working closely with our DoD partners to ensure we have the National Guard and active duty resources we need in every phase of the operation.”
Some of the active duty resources on the ground in direct support of the mission include approximately 200 Army high water vehicles who are supporting the Red Cross and moving personnel and patients. The Air Force is providing strategic airlift, fixed-wing airlift, medical evacuation and helicopters to transport people and supplies. The Defense Logistics Agency has provided fuel, sandbags, generators and incident support bases and is delivering meals to dislocated citizens. Finally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed experts to the state and FEMA response nodes to help with power restoration, as well as the monitoring for flood controls of dams and levees.
At this time, approximately 16,000 military personnel are currently on the ground. Search and rescue operations continue to be ongoing with the Texas National Guard performing more than 16,000 rescues and evacuating more than 7,400 people and 1,000 animals, since Hurricane Harvey made landfall last month. Our partners have performed thousands of additional evacuations and rescue operations.
Embed availability will be based on mission need; however, we will attempt to honor all requests. Please contact the Texas Military Department state public affairs officer at 512-782-5620 or email ng.tx.txarng.mbx.pao@mail.mil to coordinate an embed or for more information.