Oklahoma Deploys Swift Water Rescue Teams to Aid Texas Amidst Flood Crisis

Oklahoma is deploying two Type III swift water rescue teams to assist Texas with flood response efforts. Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management announced that the teams, from Oklahoma Task Force 1 in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, are equipped with boats, trailers, and rescue equipment, according to the Office of the Governor.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management has made an Emergency Management Assistance Compactrequest, prompting Oklahoma to provide assistance during floods. Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a national agreement that allows states to share resources during emergencies. Governor Stitt said, "As always, Oklahoma will answer the call to help our friends and neighbors during these devastating floods. That's the Oklahoma Standard, plain and simple," and added, "I'm grateful to our elite first responders in Tulsa and Oklahoma City for their willingness to step up and help our neighbors once again." Oklahoma is also preparing to send two Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management staff members to the Texas State Operations Center in Austin to act as liaison officers and coordinate additional mutual aid requests. This assistance is part of a mutual aid system established after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and formalized in 1996, as reported by the Office of the Governor.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Annie Mack Vest stated, "Oklahoma personnel are well-trained and ready to assist the State of Texas through this deployment. The EMAC system ensures that experienced personnel are available to support flood response efforts where they're most needed." She also said, "Our hearts are with those impacted by this unfathomable event and we pray for the safety of Texas and responders." The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation and prepared to send more resources as needed. Oklahoma has previously provided aid to states including California, Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico, as mentioned by the Office of the Governor.