Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy Texas A&M Task Force 1 to Florida ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast.

"Texas will always stand with our fellow Americans and lend a helping hand during times of crisis,” said Governor Abbott. "Texans understand firsthand the importance of hurricane preparedness and the ability to deploy resources for a swift response effort to protect those impacted by a storm. I thank our first responders for stepping up to provide this crucial assistance to the state of Florida. Cecilia and I ask Texans to join us in prayer for Florida as Tropical Storm Helene approaches their shores."

Texas A&M Task Force 1 has deployed a Type 1 urban search-and-rescue team consisting of 80 personnel, more than 15 vehicles, 6 boats, and 6 canines at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Texas A&M Task Force 1 functions as one of the 28 federal teams under FEMA’s National Urban Search and Rescue System and is one of two statewide search-and-rescue teams under the direction of the TDEM. Texas A&M Task Force 1 is sponsored by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, a member of The Texas A&M University System, and headquartered in College Station, Texas.