AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — The Amarillo Fire Department sent multiple units and personnel to help with disaster response efforts as deadly flooding continues across South and Central Texas.
The deployments began Thursday at the request of the state and are expected to last up to 14 days, according to the department.
The department sent an AMBUS, or ambulance bus, and a chase vehicle with seven personnel to San Antonio. A Medical Incident Support Team member from Battalion 4 was also deployed to San Antonio.
The department also sent Engine 41 as part of a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System all-hazards team to San Angelo with four personnel. One STEM aide was also deployed to San Angelo.
The deployments come as flooding in southern Texas has killed at least two people and prompted more than 200 rescues since storms began Tuesday, according to Gov. Greg Abbott. Water rescues were ongoing Friday in areas west of San Antonio, including Sutton, Crockett and Zavala counties, according to The Associated Press.
Flooding also spilled over Interstate 10 near Ozona, and part of a bridge over the Nueces River in Uvalde County collapsed. More than 6 million people in 57 counties were under a National Weather Service flood watch as heavy rain continued to threaten parts of the state.
Abbott said Thursday that more than 2,350 state emergency responders and more than 1,400 vehicles had been deployed as part of the state response.
State officials urged Texans to avoid flooded roads and follow directions from local emergency officials.