MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — As life-threatening flooding continues in Texas, Alabama is sending swiftwater rescue teams to help with search-and-rescue operations in the flood zone.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that she has deployed four Type III swiftwater search-and-rescue teams to assist Texas amid ongoing flooding. “Alabamians always stand ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. I pray for Texans who are once again dealing with raging floodwaters,” Ivey said. “I thank our fellow Alabamians serving on the search-and-rescue teams and offer my prayers for a successful mission and safe return home.”
The deployed teams include personnel from Mobile, Lauderdale, Cullman, Marshall, DeKalb, Jefferson, Shelby and Chilton counties. Each Type III team will consist of eight personnel and multiple boats built to support search, rescue and recovery operations in active flood zones.
Relentless heavy rain has continued to fall across the Texas Hill Country, the same region hit hard by flooding last July. Flash Flood Emergencies have been issued, and search-and-rescue operations are underway.
Ivey and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency are monitoring conditions and coordinating state resources as floodwaters rise. “Just as Alabama stepped up to help during the devastating Camp Mystic flooding last year, our state is once again committing people and resources to assist Texas in this time of need,” Ivey said.
Ivey also pointed to the flooding as a reminder for Alabamians to be prepared. She signed multiple laws this year aimed at strengthening disaster readiness in Alabama, including a funded statewide notification system intended to alert residents to disasters, the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, and a dam safety program designed to help mitigate dam-related flooding in the state.