US Military Deployed To Aid Hurricane Rescue Efforts In Texas

In a press conference from Washington DC, Major General James Witham, Director of Domestic Operations for the National Guard Bureau has said the unusually long duration of Harvey’s direct impact is changing the way his team approaches their efforts.

He said:

“Normally we plan response for that first 72 hours, 96 hours, weather passes and then we’re really into a recovery mode. We will be doing live saving and life sustaining efforts for a much longer period due to the nature of this storm.”

The Texas Military Department has deployed 3,000 National Guard and State Guard members to aid rescue efforts for flood victims of Tropical Storm Harvey.

Catastrophic flooding which has overwhelming Houston and other parts of Texas is set to worsen in the coming days, the director of the National Weather Service has warned.

Harvey, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm over the weekend, has brought unprecedented flooding and authorities say up to 30,000 people are likely to need emergency shelter in Texas.   

Guard members are currently helping to evacuate people with boats and Black Hawk helicopters from the flooded areas.

"This is what we train for," said Army Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Hamilton, commander of the Domestic Operations Task Force. "And we're proud to stand beside our civilian partners, first responders and volunteers to serve the citizens of Texas."

Despite the rain easing temporarily in Houston, the city was braced for more flooding as officials started releasing even more water from reservoirs overwhelmed by Harvey. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will let the water out of two nearby reservoirs into Buffalo Bayou, the primary body of water running through Houston.

Colonel Lars Zetterstrom, Galveston district commander of the Corps, said:  

"If we don't begin releasing now, the volume of uncontrolled water around the dams will be higher and have a greater impact on the surrounding communities."

The strategic engineering move, aimed at protecting the centre of Houston, could make already devastating flooding worse around thousands of homes. 

Heavy downpours are forecast to return later Monday and into Tuesday.  

Louisiana's governor has asked US President Donald Trump for a federal emergency declaration for Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards said he sent a letter to the White House requesting the initial disaster declaration for five parishes in south-west Louisiana, and could add more areas to the request later.

He said life-saving efforts such as search and rescue and shelters will be needed, especially in south-west Louisiana where forecasters say 10 to 20 ins (25 to 51 cms) of rain could fall. 

Picture Credit: Army National Guard photos by Lt. Zachary West