LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Task Force One is returning home over a week after helping respond to catastrophic floods in Texas.
On June 20, the search and rescue team was given the task of surveying flood risks in Live Oak County, just south of San Antonio.
Since then, officials say crews went door to door to over 100 houses, confirming evacuation plans and making sure no one was caught off guard by rising waters of a nearby river.
The task force also canvassed nearly 250 properties and checked conditions of bridges and a dam before floods could test them.
“We never showed up to take over — we showed up to make Live Oak County’s own team stronger,” said Ashley Engler, NE-TF1 Task Force Leader. “Every map we built, every household we visited, every bridge we checked was handed straight to the people who live here and the officials who answer to them. That’s the job, and that’s the kind of partner Nebraska wants to be for any state that needs us.”
They are expected back in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen thanked NE TF-1 for their work during the Texas deployment.
“We are incredibly proud of this group in bringing their collective training, knowledge and expertise to situations that often involve emergency response as well as search and rescue operations,” said Gov. Pillen. “ It’s been my privilege to welcome this group home from prior missions. Their capabilities are remarkable, as is their professionalism. I’m glad to know they are returning to Nebraska safe and sound, and I thank them for their service in Texas.”
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