“National Guard assets from New York, Utah, Nebraska, Kentucky, and North Carolina are also assisting in the relief efforts.”
The Texas National Guard has been activated following the landfall of Hurricane Harvey and heavy rainfall in the Houston, Texas area. 12,000 men and women from the Texas Army and Air National Guards, as well as the Texas State Guard, are now acting as first responders, rescuing those stranded in homes and providing aid.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Saturday, August 26, as a Category 4 hurricane and has been followed by record rainfall. 900 members of the National Guard were on site to respond to the storm and have now been joined by additional personnel. Rainfall has averaged 26 inches since Friday, August 25, with amounts up to 30 inches in certain Houston neighborhoods.
The effort is led by Brig. Gen. Patrick Hamilton, the Commander of the Dual Status Command for Hurricane Harvey. The command was established on Sunday, August 27 at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott so that a command structure could be established to oversee both federal and state military relief efforts. This will not negate the existing command relationships between National Guard and the Governor and federal troops and the President.
The National Guard is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state and local authorities to provide aid to those affected by the storm. National Guard assets from New York, Utah, Nebraska, Kentucky, and North Carolina are also assisting in the relief efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing aircraft to assist with search and rescue and cargo transport.
Department of Defense assets have not yet been tasked to assist but all branches are preparing. The Army and Air Force are preparing search and rescue aircraft and teams, while the Navy stands ready with amphibious ships capable of providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Similar assistance was provided following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency has provided gasoline and diesel fuel.
DoD Assets have been prepositioned to be ready to respond. Department of Defense support will come to FEMA, as the federal lead, under the command of the established Dual Status Command. DoD is also providing bases to use as staging areas for relief efforts and supply distribution.
Relief efforts have been focused on rescuing stranded residents stuck in their homes. Evacuation orders have been issued for some areas but not for the city of Houston. Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, expressed concern that greater risk would exist were he to order a voluntary or mandatory evacuation of the fourth most populous city in the United States. Shelters have been identified throughout the city to provide aid to those in need. Efforts are focused on assisting those in need and ensuring residents remain safe.
Rainfall is expected to continue through the week and lead to increased need for search and rescue, as well as infrastructure support. Now considered a tropical storm, Harvey’s path will most likely continue through Texas and into Louisiana. Forecasts predict 15 – 25 inches of rain and up to 50 inches of rain in certain areas.
