More Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers will be sent to Houston, Texas, following additional requests from Texas for continued emergency assistance after Tropical Storm Harvey.
On Saturday, 25 FWC officers, 17 high-water vehicles, two mobile command centers, eight shallow draft vessels and four patrol boats left for Houston.
Thirty-seven FWC officers and 21 boats are currently headed to Houston to help with ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts, officials said. Another 60 officers and nearly 20 boats are being staged and will deploy Monday.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Tropical Storm Harvey slammed the Texas Gulf Coast over the weekend. At one point, Harvey was a category 4 hurricane. It weakened to a tropical storm Saturday afternoon, according to media reports.
“Hurricane Harvey was the largest storm to impact Texas in more than 50 years and it is crucial that we continue to work together to help our fellow Gulf Coast state during their time of need,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a news release. “I was glad to speak with Governor Abbott this morning to let him know Florida is sending more resources and we stand ready to offer Texas our continued support.”
At least two people are dead and hundreds have been rescued from flooding, according to media reports.